Brand drama school urges ex-pupils to speak up over groping claims

Comedian accused of touching girls beneath his 'cloak of love'

- PATRICK HILL

RUSSELL Brand's old school has appealed to former students to come forward with any allegations of abuse after a classmate accused him of groping girl pupils.

Tony Brown says the comic, who denies one rape allegation and others of sexual assault, grabbed girls under what Brand called his "cloak of love".

At the time, Brand, 48, was a student at Central London's prestigious Italia Conti Performing Arts School.

He was expelled after a year for "breaching its code of conduct", said to be related to drug-taking and truancy.

The school said it is "deeply concerned about Tony's claims.

Actor Tony said: "He started wearing a large black trenchcoat, which he called his cloak of love.

"He would sneak up behind girls wrapping them in the coat, pulling them in close and touching them under it.

"You would often see the girls flinch.

He would be pinching their bums and grabbing their boobs."

Tony, 48, who started the school the same day as Brand in 1991, was shocked by the then 16-year-old's behaviour.