Lifestyle · Entertainment

Russell Brand Accuser Goes Public, Urges Age of Consent Change

Mia Latter, 37, has waived her anonymity to say Russell Brand raped her when she was 16. She wants a staggered age of consent, and the UK government says it will consider the idea. Brand denied her allegations in 2023.

By Alistair Sterling

November 15, 20262 min read

Mia Latter, 37, waived her right to anonymity in a newspaper interview published November 15, 2026, to speak publicly about an alleged Russell Brand rape and to campaign for a staggered age of consent in the UK. She was known as "Alice" in earlier reporting.

Latter was one of six women who made allegations against Brand in a 2023 investigation by the Times, the Sunday Times and Channel 4's Dispatches. Brand denied the allegations at the time. None of the six were complainants in his recent criminal trial.

What Latter alleges

Latter said she was 16 when she met Brand, then 30, in Leicester Square in central London as she walked home from a shopping trip. She said he was working at MTV. He took her number and later messaged her to ask about dinner.

She said Brand told her to keep the relationship secret from her school friends. She also said he referred to her as "the child" in front of his entourage.

Latter alleges Brand orally raped her towards the end of their three-month relationship. She first described the allegation to the newspaper as sexual assault, and it was reported that way in 2023. She now calls it rape.

The law she wants changed

Under UK law, adults of any age can legally have sex with 16- and 17-year-olds. Latter wants that changed so relationships between adults and under-18s become a criminal offense.

"I don't want to criminalise teenagers having sex with each other," she said. She argued that anyone in their thirties, forties or fifties who pursues a relationship with someone under 18 should face criminal liability.

She said she will not continue with the criminal process so she can focus on the campaign.

Government and police response

Louise Haigh, described as the de facto deputy prime minister, said the government will consider the call. She called Latter's story "heart-breaking".

"It clearly would be a massive step to change the age of consent, but it deserves proper consideration and scrutiny," Haigh said. "I can absolutely understand why she is calling for it."

Haigh also said the government should look at banning non-disclosure agreements in cases involving harassment or discrimination. It is believed MPs outside Labour may back a bill on the issue. Jess Brown-Fuller, the Liberal Democrat justice spokesperson, has come out in favor of reviewing the law.

Latter said the Crown Prosecution Service decided not to include her in Brand's trial, while police wanted her to be part of a later one. A Metropolitan Police spokesperson said officers opened an investigation in January 2026 after an allegation of rape. Detectives were advised that more information was needed before a charging decision.

"This investigation remains ongoing," the spokesperson said. The force acknowledged the delay has been distressing for the victim-survivor.

Brand was sentenced to 10 and a half years in prison for one count of rape and three counts of sexual assault. He was acquitted of two counts of rape and one allegation of attempted indecent assault.