Dirty Pop

"Several women" have come forward with new claims against Russell Brand it was reported Monday

Russell Brand is reportedly the focus of new allegations.

On Monday, the U.K. newspaper The Times reported that “several women” had contacted the publication since it published allegations of rape, sexual assault and abuse by multiple women on Saturday in a joint investigation run with The Sunday Times and the Channel 4 current affairs show Dispatches.

Scotland Yard has also been encouraged to investigate the allegations against Brand by government minister Caroline Nokes, who said Monday that “celebrity can act as a shield," reported The Times.

Nokes, who chairs the British parliament's committee on women and equalities, added the allegations were “incredibly shocking and criminal," and that they were “first and foremost a matter for the police," the outlet added.

On Monday, Scotland Yard confirmed to PEOPLE that London's Metropolitan Police was "aware of media reporting of a series of allegations of sexual assault."

"At this time, we have not received any reports in relation to this," the statement added. "If anyone believes they have been the victim of a sexual assault, no matter how long ago it happened, we would encourage them to contact police."

"We spoke with The Sunday Times on Saturday, 16 September," the statement continued. "We will be making further approaches to the Sunday Times and Channel 4 to ensure that any victims of crime who they have spoken with are aware of how they may report any criminal allegations to police."

In a separate statement, a BBC spokesperson also told PEOPLE on Monday that the corporation was "urgently looking into the issues raised" by the report.

"The documentary and associated reports contained serious allegations, spanning a number of years," the BBC spokesperson added. "Russell Brand worked on BBC radio programmes between 2006 and 2008 and we are urgently looking into the issues raised.”

Brand was first accused of sexual and emotional abuse by multiple women by The Times and Dispatches on Saturday evening local time. Four of the women involved have so far remained anonymous — including a 16-year-old.

In the report, an unidentified woman accused Brand of raping her against a wall in his Los Angeles home in 2012. A former colleague also alleged that Brand sexually assaulted her in 2013, while Brand’s ex-girlfriend Jordan Martin accused him of sexual assault and abuse.

The media outlets reported that the incidents allegedly took place between 2006 and 2013 when the comedian was presenting shows for BBC Radio 2 and Channel 4 and acting in Hollywood movies.

In reply, Brand said Friday that he "absolutely" refuted the allegations in a video shared on social media. He added that the claims were "extremely egregious and aggressive attacks."

The BBC, Channel 4 and Banijay, the new owners of Big Brother’s Big Mouth producers Endemol, have since reportedly opened investigations into the allegations.

“In light of the very serious allegations raised by Dispatches and The Times/Sunday Times investigation relating to the alleged serious misconduct of Russell Brand while presenting shows produced by Endemol in 2004 and 2005, Banijay UK has launched an urgent internal investigation and will cooperate with any requests for information from broadcast partners and external agencies,” Banijay stated on their website.

“We encourage anybody who feels that they were affected by Brand’s behavior while working on these productions to contact us in confidence by emailing speakup@banijayuk.com or via the anonymous link on http://speakup.banijay.com/."

Channel 4 said in a statement per BBC News that it is also conducting its own internal investigation following the accusations and has urged "anyone who is aware of such behavior to contact us directly."

The Telegraph reported that the outlet had "taken down all content featuring Russell Brand" during the investigation

Trevi Women and Children's Charity UK, who Brand worked with though his Stay Free Foundation has also cut ties with the comedian, following the allegations.

“Russell became aware of our charity in 2022 after hearing about some of the incredible mothers we have helped to become drug-free over the years. He wanted to support our cause and raise money through his Stay Free Foundation,” the charity said in a statement via Instagram.

“Today's media revelations have been difficult to process but our priority remains and continues to be the safety and well-being of all women and girls now and in the future,” the statement continued. “We have ended our association with Russell Brand and the Stay Free Foundation.”

“As a charity whose values put women's voices at the heart of what we do, we always prioritize supporting women affected by violence and abuse and empower them to live without violence or fear,” the charity concluded.

In a further development, Brand's literary agent Tavistock Wood also confirmed to PEOPLE that it would no longer represent him.

“Russell Brand categorically and vehemently denied the allegation made in 2020, but we now believe we were horribly misled by him. Tavistock Wood has terminated all professional ties to Brand," the company said in a written release.

If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, please contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) or go to rainn.org.