Russell Brand has claimed he was sent an anonymous donation of £400,000 in cash to stand in the General Election.
The controversial comedian – who is openly anti-establishment and has been leading a campaign encouraging people NOT to vote in the election in protest against the current political parties – revealed on his audioBoom podcast he had contacted the police about what to do with the money.
Russell, 39, said: “There are a lot of things coming up in the show. We can talk about the suspicious situation where someone dropped off 400 grand in a box at the offices for me to run in the election. 400 grand!”
Russell Brand on Question Time last year (Matt Crossick/PA)
The outspoken comic revealed he did not feel he could keep the money.
He said: “I spoke to the fella and I don’t think it would be a legitimate situation to keep the money… a cardboard box arrived at John Noel Management offices with 400 grand in the box. Cash money. I think it’s in 50s [pound notes], I’ve not looked at it, you know me, I’m ol’ Russ, honest Russ, can’t be corrupted.”
Russell went on: “We involved the police… I wouldn’t have done it… but you know me mate, I’m moody, I’m snide, I’m a double dealer. I can’t be trusted. Look I’m in the public eye, I can’t just take boxes of hundreds of thousands of pounds.
“The old bill got involved – I like the police, they’re going to come back and work for the people again – the police said, ‘It’s not illegal if you’re Russell Brand and someone hands you 400 grand, it’s inadvisable but… it ain’t illegal.’
Russell Brand on stage (Matt Sayles/Invision)
“Now the bloke’s missus says he’s, ‘had an episode like this last year’.”
“I’ve not looked at it yet but that is a lot of money.”
Russell appeared on Question Time last year, when he was challenged by the brother of a UKIP MEP to stand for parliament.
He replied: “My problem would be mate, I’d stand for Parliament, but I’d be scared that I’d become one of them.”
