The government will examine whether the age of consent should be staggered following the conviction and sentencing of comedian Russell Brand, according to the work and pensions secretary. Brand received a 10-and-a-half-year prison sentence on Monday after being found guilty of one count of rape and three counts of sexual assault involving four women between 2004 and 2009. The case has reignited debate over whether current UK law adequately protects teenagers from exploitation by significantly older adults.
Speaking to the BBC's Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg, Pat McFadden described the allegations that emerged this week as "appalling" examples of "abuse of power by powerful men." According to BBC News, McFadden confirmed that questions surrounding a staggered age of consent have "been raised and will be discussed," though he declined to predict the outcome of any such discussion.
One of Brand's accusers has become the driving force behind calls for legislative change. Mia Latter, who waived her right to anonymity, was 16 years old when she met Brand, who was 30 at the time. She told the Sunday Times that the significant age gap and power imbalance in their relationship highlighted why the law requires reform. Latter was one of six women who made allegations against Brand in 2023 as part of an investigation by the Times, Sunday Times and Channel 4's Dispatches programme. She was identified in that investigation under the pseudonym "Alice." Brand denied all allegations at that time, and none of the six women who came forward in 2023 were complainants in his recent criminal trial.
What changes is Latter proposing?
Latter has articulated a specific vision for how consent law should evolve. She does not seek to criminalise relationships between teenagers of similar ages, recognising that young people naturally form romantic connections with their peers. However, she argues that adults in their thirties, forties and fifties who pursue relationships with people under 18 should face criminal prosecution. "If you're between the ages of 16 and 18, it seems reasonable that you can have relationships with each other, and [teenagers] are always going to," she explained to the Sunday Times. "But… if you're in your thirties, forties and fifties and you're trying to have a relationship with someone under the age of 18, it [should be] a criminal offence."
What does current UK law permit?
Under existing legislation, adults of any age are legally permitted to have sexual relationships with people aged 16 and 17. This means that while such relationships may be ethically questionable or involve significant power imbalances, they do not constitute a criminal offence. The NSPCC charity has highlighted the vulnerability of this age group. Anna Edmundson, director of policy and social change at the NSPCC, stated that 16 and 17-year-olds can be particularly susceptible to grooming by some adults. She noted that although recent legislative changes have restricted people in positions of trust from having sexual relationships with children of this age, "other laws are failing to prevent them from being sexually exploited." Edmundson emphasised that "even though they are over the age of consent, young people are still entitled to be protected from harm."
What is the political response?
The proposal has found support across the political spectrum. Helen Whately, the shadow work and pensions secretary, told the BBC that the question merits serious debate. Drawing on her experience as a parent, Whately said she would be concerned if her teenage daughters brought home a man significantly older than them. "I think any parent would look twice," she said, indicating her openness to legislative change.
What other allegations have emerged?
The week of Brand's conviction also saw serious allegations surface against another prominent entertainer. ITV News and the Guardian published an investigation alleging that comedian David Walliams engaged in sexual misconduct spanning more than three years, with allegations dating back to 2003. One woman stated that she now characterises her alleged encounter with Walliams at age 15 as a "sexual assault." Walliams strongly denied having any sexual contact with the girl. Other women alleged that Walliams engaged in inappropriate behaviour when serving as a judge on ITV's Britain's Got Talent, including inviting girls and young women to his dressing room. Walliams rejected any allegations of criminal activity and stated he has never engaged in the grooming of young women.
The legal process surrounding the Walliams allegations proved contentious. Walliams sought a High Court injunction to prevent publication of the investigation, but did not appeal after the court dismissed his bid, allowing the reporting to proceed.
What is the police response to the Walliams allegations?
The Metropolitan Police launched an investigation into Walliams on Friday over reports of "alleged serious sexual offences." The force clarified that the allegations it is investigating are separate from those reported by ITV and the Guardian, though it said it was "also proactively reviewing that reporting." Police have invited potential alleged victims to come forward as they review the reports.
What has the government said about the Walliams allegations?
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy responded to the allegations by pledging government action. She stated that the government would act to protect women and ensure perpetrators are brought to justice, signalling a commitment to addressing sexual misconduct across the entertainment industry.
What happens next?
The government's review of age of consent law will proceed in the coming weeks and months. McFadden's acknowledgement that the issue "has certainly put that up in lights" suggests the Brand case has accelerated what may have previously been a lower-priority policy discussion. The outcome of any legislative review remains uncertain, but the combination of high-profile criminal convictions, public campaigning by victims, and cross-party political support indicates that meaningful debate is now underway.
