What was the instigation of the Russell Brand investigation by Dispatches and The Times?

What was the instigation of the Russell Brand investigation by Dispatches and The Times? #RussellBrand #Dispatches #TheTimes

We are told that this investigation was between one year and possibly up to four years. But what started it?

Did somone make contact with Dispatches and/or The Times?

It is suggested that some ladies were contacted by Dispatches and/or The Times rather than the ladies contacting Dispatches and/or The Times. So had any ladies contacted Dispatches and/or The Times first? And if not, why did they start an investigation?

Has 'Alison' got more to do with Dispatches and/or The Times, than simply a witness? In the Women's Hour interview we are told she has worked with The Times for years. So was she the one who started the investigation?

Does or did 'Alice' work for The Times? https://youtu.be/QAwBG3Ab-G4
It seems that the media approached the ladies: https://youtu.be/4JKm5x4R2so
I found it interesting that 'Alice' shares the same conspiracy theory that many on the left do: https://youtu.be/FOeGZHNeI7Q