Producer who laughed during Russell Brand sexual assault axed from company

Russell Brand has been convicted of raping one woman and sexually assaulting three others (Picture: James Manning/PA)

A TV producer accused of watching and laughing as Russell Brand sexually assaulted a woman has been asked to ‘step back’ from the company where he works.

Jack Bayles, head of comedy at independent production firm Various Artists Limited (VAL), will no longer work on two sitcoms being made for the BBC while the company considers the events surrounding Brand’s trial.

The move follows Brand’s conviction for raping one woman and sexually assaulting thre...