The Story

WARNING: This episode contains descriptions some listeners may find distressing.

Mia Latter was known as Alice in The Times and The Sunday Times' 2023 reporting. She had a relationship with Russell Brand in 2006 when she was 16 and he was 30.

She alleges that during that relationship Brand was emotionally abusive, cruel, controlling – and that he orally raped her. Allegations Brand denied.

Now, Mia has waived her right to anonymity to share her story with our sister podcast The Trial of Russel Brand, so she can campaign for a staggered age of consent in the UK, restricting sexual activity between teenagers and those in their 30s or older.

Read how Rosamund and Charlotte helped women expose Russell Brand.
Further listening: How The Times revealed claims against Russell Brand.

Send us your questions: investigates.podcasts@thetimes.com

If you, or someone you know, has been affected by the issues raised in this episode, the following organisations can help:
Rape Crisis England & Wales
NHS - Help after rape and sexual assault
This podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. To enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism subscribe here.
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The new film You Can See Everything has taken America by storm, and next week it will sweep into cinemas across the UK. It follows the disgraced Silicon Valley entrepreneur Elizabeth Holmes in the 34 days before she went to prison for fraud. We hear from Holmes’ former colleagues at Theranos – as well as the lawyer who sued her on behalf of defrauded investors– about their experience of Holmes and what they make of the film. Is she deluded, or lying?

Guest: Roisin Kelly, US correspondent, The Times and The Sunday Times
Host: Manveen Rana
Producer: Micaela Arneson
We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com
Read more: We knew Elizabeth Holmes. Her documentary is just another lie
Further listening: Elizabeth Holmes: The downfall of a billion dollar startup
Clips: ABC News, Reginald Kaigler via YouTube, Ari Shapiro via YouTube, CBC News, ABC News, CBS News, A24 Films LLC, CNBC, Vanity Fair
Photo: Getty Images
This podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. To enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism subscribe here.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the ‘lads’ culture of the Noughties, convicted rapist Russell Brand hid in plain sight. David Walliams - another performer rising to fame in that period - has been accused of sexually assaulting a 15-year-old schoolgirl and abusing his celebrity to groom teenage girls for sex. He denies the claims and has not been charged with any wrongdoing. In a statement he said ‘I am not a sexual predator. I have not broken the law, but I am devastated that some of the women I met 10 to 20 years ago have now expressed hurt or anger towards me.' So how did the Noughties help shape and excuse predatory conduct? And is the fightback of women and girls finally on - are they finally being believed?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Sarah Ditum, contributor, The Times, and author of Toxic: Women, Fame and the Noughties
Host: Manveen Rana
Producers: Olivia Case and Robyn Simon

We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com
Read more: What we women felt as the verdicts came in against Russell Brand
Further listening: New Allegations | The Trial of Russell Brand Ep. 23
Clips: Channel 4 / The Russell Brand Show, TFI Friday / Channel 4, CNN, Radio Baloney / YouTube, The Oprah Winfrey Show / ABC, Entertainment Tonight, BBC, MTV, SKY, Ovo Luther / YouTube / UN Women
Photo: Getty Images
This podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. To enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism subscribe here.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Republicans have defeated a motion in Congress to bring impeachment hearings against US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth. The articles of impeachment contained serious allegations, including the ordering of extrajudicial killings. What do we know about the US operations in the Caribbean? And with the Iran war being blamed for the Republicans’ midterm defeat, will the Democrats look to prosecute him in the new year?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guests:
David Rose, assistant foreign news editor, The Times
George Grylls, Washington correspondent, The Times
Host: Manveen Rana
Producers: Robyn Simon and Olivia Case
We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com

Read more: Pete Hegseth impeachment effort derailed by House Republicans
Further listening: The ultraconservative pastor behind the US Secretary of War
Clips: CBS, C-SPAN, The Guardian, PBS, Sunday Guardian
Photo: Getty Images
This podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. To enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism subscribe here.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel’s longest-serving prime minister, is in trouble. His party failed to secure an overall majority in last month’s elections, so his former ally-turned-chief-rival Gadi Eisenkot has been invited to try and form a new government. So who is Eisenkot? And as members of the Knesset are sworn in, will he succeed in ousting Netanyahu and bringing peace to Israel?

Guests:
Josh Glancy, associate editor, The Sunday Times
Gabriella Weiniger, Israel correspondent, The Times
Host: Manveen Rana
Producers: Micaela Arneson and Paige Reynolds
We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com

Read more: What does Israel want to be? I travelled the land to find out
Further listening: Will Netanyahu win the most critical election in Israel’s history?
Clips: Middle East Eye, AFP, DW News, RoyanewsEnglish via YouTube.
Photo: Getty Images.
This podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. To enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism subscribe here.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.