Allegations Against Andrew Tate by Lauren Southern

Right-wing figure Lauren Southern has accused Andrew Tate of raping her during a trip to Romania. This claim was detailed in an excerpt from her memoir released on Tuesday.

In 2018, Southern traveled to Romania to discuss potential media projects with Tate and his associates. After a disappointing initial meeting, she was unexpectedly called to meet with Tate’s group.

Southern recounted that she had been drinking and felt very intoxicated, despite not having consumed that much alcohol at a nightclub. She described feeling confused and later vomiting. She expressed a desire for healing through sharing her story, even mentioning those who had caused her pain, stating, “Healing only comes from purifying the fire.”

She wrote about how she had initially been discouraged from continuing with the meeting but was summoned again that night with a message: “They want to see you, Lauren.” Unsure who had sent the message, she decided to join Tate and his entourage.

What started as a casual meeting turned into an uncomfortable scenario, with escalating pressure to go to a nightclub and an increasing sense of fear. Though her instincts urged her to leave, she hesitated due to self-doubt and the pressure from those around her.

At the club, Southern recalled feeling disoriented and unusually intoxicated. She noted that the group was openly discussing illegal activities and seemed reckless due to their local connections. When her friend failed to arrive, her memory became hazy, and she ended up feeling unwell and being taken to a car, barely conscious.

Looking back, Southern acknowledged being only 22 at the time and thought that by trying to make smart choices, she could avoid harm. It took her years to process what had happened, writing, “The devil doesn’t just pop out at everyone.” She warned against being vulnerable to manipulation.

She mentioned that Tate had advised her not to speak to the press when he was in a hurry to leave, yet he continued to reach out to her later. Southern admitted that her own beliefs made it easier to dismiss the severity of her experience.

Furthermore, she criticized the “willful ignorance” prevalent in the conservative media world when pursuing fame and wealth, noting that others had experienced similar tactics from Tate in the past. She stated that some details of her experience were consistent with reports from other women.

Southern reported the alleged assault to authorities in Britain, but said it could only be pursued in Romania, which she was told had significant police corruption. She later provided details to a U.S. investigation to support her claims without exposing herself publicly.

She expressed a desire to cooperate with ongoing investigations, especially those happening in Romania. In 2023, Romanian prosecutors announced that Tate and his brother were charged with human trafficking, rape, and forming an organized criminal group.