Introduction

Mia Latter has stepped forward publicly to discuss her allegations against comedian and actor Russell Brand, waiving her right to anonymity in an interview with the Sunday Times. Latter, who was previously known by the pseudonym \"Alice\" in a 2023 joint investigation by The Times, Sunday Times, and Channel 4's Dispatches, says she is now campaigning for changes to the UK's age of consent laws.

What Happened

Latter alleges that Brand raped her when she was 16 years old. She says she met Brand, then 30 and working at MTV, while traveling home from a shopping trip. According to her account, Brand asked her to keep their relationship hidden from friends and referred to her as \"the child\" around his associates. Latter initially described the incident to reporters as sexual assault in 2023, but now characterizes it as rape.

Brand received a 10-and-a-half-year prison term following convictions on one rape count and three sexual assault counts. He was found not guilty on two rape charges and one count of attempted indecent assault. None of the women involved in the 2023 media investigation, including Latter, served as complainants in that criminal trial.

Latter, now 37, told the Sunday Times that the Crown Prosecution Service opted not to include her evidence in Brand's criminal case, though police had expressed interest in including her in a potential subsequent proceeding. She said she will not continue with the criminal process so she can focus on her law reform campaign.

Why This Matters

The case has reignited debate about power imbalances in relationships between teenagers and significantly older adults. Latter is advocating for a \"staggered\" age of consent framework that would make it a criminal offense for adults in their thirties, forties, or fifties to pursue relationships with people under 18, while not criminalizing consensual sexual activity between teenagers.

\"I don't want to criminalise teenagers having sex with other teenagers,\" Latter told the publication. She added that relationships between 16- and 17-year-olds and their peers should remain permissible, but that older adults seeking relationships with minors should face legal consequences.

The Metropolitan Police confirmed an investigation opened in January 2026 after receiving a rape allegation. A force spokesperson said detectives sought guidance from the Crown Prosecution Service and were advised that more information was required before any charging decision. The investigation remains active. The CPS stated it will continue working with investigators to help cases move forward efficiently.

Key Takeaways

  • Mia Latter, previously known as \"Alice,\" has waived anonymity regarding her allegations against Russell Brand.
  • She alleges Brand raped her when she was 16 and he was 30.
  • Brand received a 10.5-year prison sentence for one rape count and three sexual assault counts, though he was acquitted on other charges.
  • Latter was not a complainant in Brand's criminal trial and says she will not pursue the criminal process further.
  • She is campaigning for a staggered age of consent to restrict relationships between adults and people under 18.
  • The Metropolitan Police investigation into her allegation remains ongoing.

Conclusion

By speaking publicly, Latter hopes to shift the conversation from individual court cases to broader legal protection for young people. Whether Parliament will consider a staggered age of consent remains uncertain, but her decision to waive anonymity ensures her experience will remain part of the public debate around consent, power, and accountability.