Government ‘considering’ change in age of consent laws following Brand allegations

The government is considering whether to stagger the age of consent, following renewed calls for legal protection for 16- and 17-year-olds from relationships with adults. Ministers said allegations involving Russell Brand and David Walliams have brought questions about power imbalances and age gaps into sharper focus, but no decision has been made.

Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden said ministers would discuss the proposal and consider measures to support people affected by abuse of power. The debate follows Mia Latter’s public allegation that Brand raped her when she was 16 and he was 30; she has called for a staggered age of consent. Brand was convicted of offences against four women and is serving a 10-and-a-half-year prison term, while police are investigating serious sex offence allegations concerning Walliams.