Minister says way victims were treated in Russell Brand’s case was ‘incredibly depressing’

In: Politics

Labour’s deputy leader has said she found comments made in Russell Brand’s rape trial “incredibly depressing” after the former comedian was jailed for over ten years on Monday.

The disgraced comedian was convicted of raping one of his fans at his London home in 2009, as well as sexually assaulting three female staffers at various TV and radio stations during his rise to international fame.

Brand’s defence barrister has faced criticism over his claims that his victims were “not particularly vulnerable at all” and that the rape incident should only be “regarded as a man who went too far”.

Ian Winter KC, who represented the comedian, argued his crimes were consequence of the level of fame he was acquiring and said he could not be a rapist as his accusers had not “resisted or screamed or even tried to leave”.

The lawyer has since reported himself to his professional regulator after being accused of a tirade at a female journalist shortly after his client had been found guilty of rape.

Russell Brand has begun his 10-and-a-half-year jail term for rape and sexual assault
Russell Brand has begun his 10-and-a-half-year jail term for rape and sexual assault (PA)

Labour’s deputy leader Lucy Powell said she was “shocked and depressed” by how Brand’s victims were treated during the trial.

“I was shocked and depressed, quite honestly, as I’m sure many, many others were, to hear of some of that cross-examination and the way that these that women were treated in this trial,” she told BBC Radio 4.

“I think we all thought that that era was long behind us. Clearly, more steps need to be taken in this regard.”

Andy Burnham has said he will look at how rape cases are conducted in court after Brand’s conviction, to ensure they do not leave women feeling like they are the ones on trial.

The prime minister refused to rule out changes to the law, saying he would study the case “in great detail”.

Before any of the allegations came to light, Mr Burnham was one of a number of politicians, including the foreign secretary Ed Miliband, who praised Brand. In 2014, Mr Burnham said he has used his celebrity status “to help others”, while the then-Labour leader Mr Miliband was interviewed by Brand as he courted his supporters in the run-up to the 2015 general election.

Russell Brand in the dock at Southwark Crown Court, London, watched by his wife Laura, bodyguard and his father Ronald
Russell Brand in the dock at Southwark Crown Court, London, watched by his wife Laura, bodyguard and his father Ronald (PA)

Ms Powell said Mr Miliband’s interview with Russell Brand took place in a “different era” before the disgraced comedian’s predatory sexual behaviour had been exposed.

Lucy Powell, who was vice chairwoman of Labour’s election campaign in 2015, said Brand had a “powerful platform”.

Mr Miliband, then the Labour leader, appeared on Brand’s online show The Trews as part of an attempt to win over young voters in his ultimately doomed attempt to become prime minister.

Ms Powell, now the Education Secretary, insisted Brand had approached Labour first as she faced questions over what role she played in setting up the appearance.

She told Sky News: “It was a long time ago, obviously and had I or Ed Miliband or anybody at the time had any sense at all that this was someone who was a sexual predator, who was involved in these sorts of crimes.”