RUSSELL Brand has embarked on an hour-long rant about free speech – as police probe allegations of sexual assault.

The comedian, 48, began a live-stream on his Rumble page just minutes after cops confirmed they are investigating allegations of sexual offences in both London and "elsewhere in the country".

In a tweet, he said: "Are we being silenced? The battle for free speech – streaming now on @rumblevideo."

During the stream, Brand went on a long-winded rant alleging a government conspiracy to prevent him from sharing his theories and making money from social media.

He said: "We are going to be talking about the State and the legacy media's war on free speech.

"And in particular, how that has affected me this week.

Read more showbiz

BRAND PROBE

Cops investigating number of claims of sexual assault against Russell Brand

SET TO TUMBLE?

Russell Brand’s ‘refuge’ platform Rumble may be forced offline under new law

"We are going to continue to do on this channel what we've always done [which is] tell you the truth as best we can."

Brand also continuously begged his followers for donations.

Subscribers pay a minimum £50 a year to subscribe to Rumble and creators can earn more cash from donations.

His live show comes as detectives today confirmed a probe has been opened into a number of non-recent sexual offence allegations.

Most read in Showbiz

BRUCE’S BATTLE

Bruce Willis’ wife admits ‘it’s hard to know’ if he’s aware of his dementia

DOCTOR TRAGEDY

This Morning star’s cause of death revealed as family share tribute

HOSPITAL DASH

Hollywood legend Sophia Loren, 89, rushed to hospital after horror fall

SHOCK SPLIT

Louise Redknapp breaks silence on Eternal feud as she quits tour over ‘gay’ row

A Met Police spokesperson today said: "Following an investigation by Channel 4’s Dispatches and The Sunday Times, the Met has received a number of allegations of sexual offences in London.

"We have also received a number of allegations of sexual offences committed elsewhere in the country and will investigate these.

"The offences are all non-recent. Officers will be offering specialist support to all of the women who have made allegations.

"Detectives have launched an investigation into allegations of sexual offences."

Detective Superintendent Andy Furphy added: "We continue to encourage anyone who believes they may have been a victim of a sexual offence, no matter how long ago it was, to contact us.

"We understand it can feel like a difficult step to take and I want to reassure that we have a team of specialist officers available to advise and support."

Brand has been accused of rape, sexual assault and abuse by four women including, one of whom was aged 16 at the time.

Allegations made in a joint investigation by The Times and Channel 4's Dispatches include that he raped a woman against a wall at his Los Angeles flat.

The four women say he attacked them between 2006 and 2013 at the height of his fame, when presenting shows for BBC Radio 2 and Channel 4 and starring in Hollywood movies.

READ MORE SUN STORIES

WOWIE

Dramatic Towie body transformations – from 14st weight loss to unrecognisable star

ROAM FREE

Most affordable European city break revealed – with £1.60 beersand £16 flights

The accusations include not only rape and sexual assault but also emotional and physical abuse.

Brand has vigorously denied allegations made against him. 

Source: Read Full Article