A solicitor who specialises in criminal defence representation for those accused of sexual offences has revealed that if Russell Brand decides not to return to the UK for his hearing at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Friday, May 2, he could face extradition from the US.

Metropolitan Police announced today that the outspoken comedian and actor has been charged with numerous sexual assault charges, including rape and indecent assault against four alleged victims. The 50-year-old star will now face a court accused of one count each of rape, indecent assault and oral rape, as well as two counts of sexual assault, relating to four separate women. The move to charge the Hollywood star comes after detectives launched an investigation into his behaviour in September 2023 after receiving a number of allegations following reporting by Channel 4’s Dispatches and The Sunday Times.

Russell and his family are believed to be living in Florida. Discussing what could happen if he does not return to face the charges, Marcus Johnstone of PCD Solicitors advised: “For an individual living abroad at the time charges are made, there are no exemptions to attendance, barring extraordinary factors like illness or injury. If the defendant refuses to return, then the authorities may choose to invoke extradition agreements to return them to the U.K. through an application by the CPS to the foreign government. Usually, these applications are granted – particularly between friendly governments like Britain and the United States.

According to the Home Office, the decision to seek extradition is a matter for the police and the prosecuting authority, which is usually the Crown Prosecution Service. It says on their website: “The CPS will prepare a request, the documents in the request are then certified by a judge and the final request is then sent to be considered by the Home Office. The Home Office will then forward the extradition request to the relevant state through usual diplomatic channels.”

However, there’s no guarantee that the US would give the green light to remove Brand. The Home Office states: “The decision to accept the request is taken by the US State Department. If the US State Department considers that the request is in proper order, an attorney in the State Department’s Office of the Legal Adviser prepares a certificate attesting to the existence of the treaty and forwards it with the original request to the Office of International Affairs at the Department of Justice. There is no time limit for the State Department to complete its consideration. The extradition request will then be considered by the US courts. The final decision on extradition is made by the Secretary of State.”

Following the police announcement, Brand issued his response on social media. He said: “I’ve always told you guys, when I was young and single before I had my wife and family, I was a fool man. I was a fool before I lived in the light of the Lord…But what I never was, was a rapist. I’ve never engaged in non-consensual activity. I pray that you can see that by looking at my eyes.”

In his response, Brand appeared to confirm that he would be attending the court hearing. He concluded: “I want to thank all of you for your continuing support…And of course, I’m now going to have the opportunity to defend these charges in court and I’m incredibly grateful for that. In the meantime you lot stay free. And we will be continuing to discuss this matter. Praise the Lord.”