UK4 min(s) read
Woman who accused Russell Brand of alleged sexual assault when she was 16 breaks anonymity to demand major UK law change
A woman who has accused Russell Brand of raping her when she was just 16 has waived her right to anonymity as she campaigns for a major change to Britain's age of consent laws.
Mia Latter, now 37, was one of six women who launched allegations against the comedian in 2023 following an investigation by The Times, The Sunday Times and Channel 4's Dispatches.
At the time, she was identified only as 'Alice', while Brand denied the allegations against him, despite none of the six women featured in the original investigation being the victims in Brand's recent criminal trial.
Alleged Brand victim waives right to anonymity
Speaking to The Sunday Times, Latter explained why she wanted to make her identity public, highlighting the significant age difference between herself and Brand when they first met.
She was 16 at the time, while the entertainer was 30 and working for MTV, "I think people were so struck by my story because of the age difference and the clear imbalance [in power]," she told the newspaper.
Latter alleged that Brand instructed her to keep their relationship hidden from her school friends and claimed he referred to her as "the child" when speaking in front of his entourage.
Towards the end of their relationship, she alleges that Brand orally raped her, with The Sunday Times reporting that Latter had originally described the incident as sexual assault when speaking to the newspaper in 2023, which was how it was subsequently reported.
However, she "now calls this allegation rape", according to the publication, with Latter pushing for the introduction of a so-called 'staggered' age of consent, which would make sexual relationships between adults and 16- or 17-year-olds a criminal offence.
Under her proposed changes, teenagers aged between 16 and 18 would still be able to have consensual relationships with one another, but adults significantly older than them would face prosecution.
"I don't want to criminalize teenagers having sex with each other," she explained.
"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.
"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."
Her proposal has received a response from Cabinet Office Minister Louise Haigh, who acknowledged that changing the law would represent a "massive step," adding that the suggestion "deserves proper consideration and scrutiny".
Haigh also criticized the culture surrounding celebrity relationships with teenagers during the 2000s, describing it as "disgusting" that such behavior was "normalized and celebrated".
Latter has also revealed that she does not intend to continue with the criminal process against Brand, choosing instead to concentrate on her campaign for changes to the law.
Alleged victim could be involved in further action against Brand
She told The Sunday Times that the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) had decided not to include her allegations in Brand's recent criminal trial, although police wanted her to potentially participate in a "subsequent trial".
A Metropolitan Police spokesperson had confirmed that: "Officers launched an investigation in January 2026 after receiving an allegation of rape," the spokesperson said.
"Detectives sought advice from the Crown Prosecution Service to determine how best to proceed, and officers were advised that further information was needed before a charging decision could be made."
The spokesperson added: "This investigation remains ongoing. We understand the delay has been distressing for this victim-survivor. However, our focus has been on putting forward the best possible evidence."
A CPS spokesperson also confirmed that the organization remained involved in the investigation.
It said it would "continue to work closely with investigators to provide advice and make sure cases progress as quickly as possible".
Brand was recently sentenced to 10 and a half years in prison after being convicted of one count of rape and three counts of sexual assault.
He was acquitted of two further counts of rape and one allegation of attempted indecent assault.