Labour deputy leader criticises Brand’s defence inquisition of victims

Activism / 10 November 2026 Walkouts planned at more than 200 schools, colleges and universities on November 20 for youth strike 10 November 2026 Industrial / 10 November 2026 Health visitors claim victory after long-running strike wins pay rises 10 November 2026 Britain / 10 November 2026 Former Reform UK candidate behind Oxford ‘race science’ event exposed over antisemitic writings 10 November 2026 Britain / 10 November 2026 Commission set up in Wales to look at independence 10 November 2026 Wales / 10 November 2026 Culture war breaks out in Senedd as Reform accused of ‘being a one-trick pony’ 10 November 2026 CONVICTED rapist Russell’s Brand defence was criticised today by Labour’s deputy leader Lucy Powell for the “depressing” nature of the cross-examination of the disgraced star’s victims.

Ms Powell said she had been shocked at some of what took place in the courtroom: “I found reading some of that incredibly sort of depressing and thought we’d long gone past that sort of culture.”

Brand was jailed for 10 and a half years on Monday for raping a woman and sexually assaulting three others, including at their workplaces.

Ms Powell was asked on LBC radio about Brand’s defence in court, during which his barrister, Ian Winter KC, suggested Brand must be innocent because none of his victims had “resisted or screamed or even tried to leave.”

Brand’s KC had also said the anal rape of a 21-year-old woman was a “short and momentary failure” where “he did not respect her consent.”

The barrister has referred himself to the regulator after reports that he confronted a Sunday Times journalist who was involved in a media investigation into Brand in 2023.

Times and Sunday Times reporter Rosamund Urwin had been part of the documentary that exposed the allegations against Brand and said after she had introduced herself to Ian Winter KC, he had allegedly said: “I hope you’re pleased with yourself.”

In a statement, Mr Winter said: “Having seen the ways matters have been characterised in today’s press I consider my professional duty requires me to self-report those allegations to the Bar Standards Board.”

Ms Powell said the government had taken steps in guidance to challenge myths around rape and victim-blaming in court.

“But clearly, a lot more needs to be done because I think many of us were really shocked that that could still take place in a courtroom today,” she said.

Ms Powell is now the education secretary and also said she regretted the meeting that the former party leader Ed Miliband had with Brand in 2015, when she was Labour’s campaign chief.

The then Labour leader appeared on Brand’s online show The Trews.

Labour’s deputy leader said Mr Miliband’s 2015 general election interview with Brand took place before the disgraced comedian’s predatory sexual behaviour had been exposed.

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