Comedy Chief Jack Bayles Steps Back After Russell Brand Trial Evidence

Jack Bayles has stepped back from his role as head of comedy at Various Artists Limited, the London production company behind Michaela Coel's "I May Destroy You," after a court heard he watched and laughed while Russell Brand sexually assaulted a Channel 4 employee in 2009.

Bayles was said to have been present when Brand demanded the woman give him a massage during a shoot. Brand was found guilty on Thursday of sexually assaulting the Channel 4 employee, along with two other counts of sexual assault and one count of rape.

What did the court hear about Bayles?

According to The Times, Bayles and Gareth Roy, another member of Brand's entourage, told the complainant that Brand would only continue working if she gave him a massage. She complained to her bosses at Channel 4 the next day.

The woman's workplace manager, who gave evidence during the trial, said the victim told her the men repeatedly urged her to "just do it." Brand also put his head in the woman's groin area during the incident.

In a statement to the court, the manager said she was told the men "were both there the whole time and watched and laughed while Mr Brand sexually assaulted her right in front of them," according to The Times.

What has the company done?

Following the verdict, a representative for Various Artists Limited confirmed Bayles had been asked to step back. The company said: "We have asked Jack Bayles to step back from the company whilst we consider the verdict and events surrounding the trial. Our thoughts, though, are primarily with every one of Brand's victims at this time."

Bayles joined VAL four years ago as head of comedy. The company was founded in 2017 by Sam Bain and Jesse Armstrong. In his role, Bayles oversaw the company's comedy slate and developed new projects. He previously produced "Catastrophe" with Sharon Horgan and Rob Delaney and was appointed Channel 4 commissioning editor in 2017.

What does Bayles say?

In a statement to The Times, the producer said: "I am appalled and sickened by Brand's actions and have co-operated fully and voluntarily with the investigation and endeavoured to assist as best I can. However, I do not remember the incident that took place 17 years ago in 2009. But I acknowledge that I clearly missed something at the time and did not see nor recognise that it caused distress. For that I am sincerely sorry."

Bayles said that at the time of the offence he was in the early stages of his career, and described the working environment as "frantic, pressured and toxic." He said Brand was "chaotic, dismissive and manipulated the people around him," and that he stopped working with the comedian in 2010 as a result. He said he has had no contact with Brand since, and that no complaints about Brand's behaviour were made to him during their time working together.

"I would never willingly or proactively wish to make anyone feel uncomfortable, unsafe or unsupported at work," Bayles said. "If I was ever present when Brand acted inappropriately and I failed to spot it and step in, then I sincerely apologise."

The step-back is temporary while VAL considers the verdict and the events surrounding the trial. The company's statement places the victims, not its personnel decision, at the centre of its response.