Russell Brand Under Investigation by British Police for Alleged Sexual Offenses

British police have launched an investigation into allegations of sexual offenses against comedian Russell Brand.

The Metropolitan Police force in London said Monday that it had received a number of allegations of sexual offenses after a joint investigation from the Times of London, The Sunday Times and Channel 4 Dispatches. The investigation included four women who accused Brand of sexual assault or rape.

Brand, 48, denies the allegations. The accuser who said she was sexually assaulted during a relationship with him when she was 16 has not been named.

The Metropolitan Police said it had begun the probe after the joint investigation and that it had also received a number of allegations of sexual offenses committed elsewhere in the country.

In a statement, Brand said he was “deeply saddened” by the allegations and that he was cooperating with the police. He added that he was “seeking the support of a therapist” and that he was “committed to helping those who have been hurt by the issues that are now being raised.”