The UK government says it will consider calls to change the age of consent after allegations involving comedian Russell Brand. A woman who was previously granted anonymity has publicly claimed she was raped when she was 16, waiving her right to anonymity to make the accusation. The reporting links the calls for legal change to concerns raised in the aftermath of these allegations.
Deputy prime minister Louise Haigh is quoted as saying that changing the age of consent would be a “massive step” and should receive “proper consideration and scrutiny.” The outlets describe the case as centering on a claim that Brand assaulted the complainant when she was a schoolgirl and Brand was about 30.
Coverage across the outlets largely aligns on the government’s position: it is reviewing whether the law should be amended, rather than announcing immediate legislative action. Differences are mainly in emphasis, with some outlets framing the story around the government’s quote and others highlighting the wider campaigning for a change in the law following the allegations.
