The government has indicated it will review proposals to raise the age of consent following a woman’s decision to waive her anonymity and publicly assert that she was raped by Russell Brand when she was 16.
Mia Latter, now 37, alleges that the comedian, now imprisoned, orally assaulted her when she was a teenager and he was 30.
In a Sunday Times interview, she advocated for a staggered age of consent, making sexual relationships between adults and youths aged 16 and 17 illegal.
Louise Haigh, acting deputy prime minister, told the newspaper that Latter’s heartbreaking account warranted serious consideration of a legal change.
She emphasized, “We must listen to Mia and other survivors, as their experiences should be central to any legislative deliberation.”
While such a change would be a major shift, it requires thorough examination and scrutiny, and I fully understand her call for it.
Current UK law permits adults of any age to engage in sexual activity with 16- and 17-year-olds.
Latter noted, “It is shocking how often the public discussion focuses on his alleged relationship with a 16‑year‑old whenever his name resurfaces in the news.”
She added, “While that may not be the worst aspect, the fixation on a 16‑year‑old relationship seems misplaced. Most of us agree that adults should not engage in sexual relationships with anyone under 18—a reasonable and necessary step.”
Latter had previously been identified by the pseudonym Alice in reports from the Sunday Times, The Times, and Channel 4’s Dispatches documentary.
She was 16 when she first met Brand in Leicester Square, central London, after returning from a shopping trip.
He obtained her number and later messaged her, asking if she would like to go for dinner, she recalled.
She told the newspaper that, despite revealing her age, Brand—then employed at MTV—still requested a meeting.
Latter alleges that Brand orally assaulted her toward the end of their three‑month relationship.
Brand denied all allegations made by Latter when they were first reported in 2023 by The Times.
She reported the incident to police after the documentary aired, but the Crown Prosecution Service chose not to include her case in Brand’s trial at Southwark Crown Court.
He was convicted of assaulting four of the six women who testified, and is currently serving a 10½‑year prison sentence for one rape count and three sexual assaults.
Earlier this week, authorities announced that serious allegations of sexual offences against comedian David Walliams are now under Metropolitan Police investigation, following a joint inquiry by The Guardian and ITV News.
A woman alleged that an encounter with Walliams when she was 15 constituted sexual assault.
Walliams denies any wrongdoing.
Haigh added that, given reports that one of Walliams’s accusers was asked to sign a non‑disclosure agreement, the government should consider banning such agreements in cases of alleged sexual assault and harassment. She said, “When examining the allegations against David Walliams, teenage fans would not be covered by the present consultation.”
She asserted, “There is a compelling case to ban NDAs in all instances involving harassment or discrimination, ensuring that no victim—regardless of location or relationship to the perpetrator—remains silenced.”
It is believed that MPs outside the Labour Party may support legislation to amend the age of consent laws, with Jess Brown-Fuller, Liberal Democrat justice spokesperson, voicing support for a review.
Brown-Fuller commended Latter for her “extraordinary bravery” in waiving anonymity, adding, “We must do more to protect young women and girls, and a staggered age of consent is a vital step.”
She noted, “We already have policies acknowledging power imbalances in professional relationships—such as teachers and students, or barristers and junior colleagues—and it is time for government to recognise the implicit power imbalance older men hold over teenage girls.”
Bridget Phillipson, minister for women and equalities, praised Latter’s decision, saying she and thousands of others will be inspired by her courage and determination. She added, “It is up to all of us to send a message to women and girls who have experienced sexual violence: the shame is not theirs. Women like Mia are leading the way, but we must do more to turn this into a catalyst for change.”
Latter’s allegation was reported to the Metropolitan Police, which said the investigation into the alleged rape remains ongoing.
A Metropolitan Police spokesperson said, “Officers launched an investigation in January 2026 after receiving a rape allegation.”
Detectives sought CPS advice to determine the best course of action, and were advised that further information was required before any charging decision could be made.
She added, “The investigation remains ongoing, and we recognize the delay has been distressing for the victim‑survivor. Our focus is on presenting the strongest possible evidence.”
The Crown Prosecution Service will continue working closely with investigators to provide advice and ensure cases progress as swiftly as possible.
