Politics Morning Star
Russell Brand’s actions ‘horrifying,’ says Burnham as he praises victims
PRIME MINISTER Andy Burnham praised the courage of Russell Brand’s victims today as police chiefs prepare for further allegations against the rapist. The 51-year-old faces years in prison after being
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The 51-year-old faces years in prison after being convicted of raping one of his fans and sexually assaulting three women during his showbiz career.
He was cleared of two further charges of rape and one allegation of attempted indecent assault.
Mr Burnham said his actions were “horrifying,” telling Times Radio he would “like to praise the bravery of the women, the victims in the case, who’ve come forward and had the courage to speak out.”
He also said he had “no idea” about the extent of Mr Brand’s wrongdoing at the time that he and other senior Labour figures engaged with the disgraced comedian.
The Metropolitan Police confirmed investigations are ongoing into two allegations of rape.
At pre-trial hearings, it was revealed that one complaint comes from a woman who dated the former TV personality when he was 30 and she was 16.
Met Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley said: “I wouldn’t be surprised if many, many more come forward, and we’re open to that.”
He added that some of what he heard reported from the trial was “getting very close to victim blaming.”
Asked about defence claims that complainants had not resisted or screamed or tried to leave, he said: “People fall into myths about (how) a rape victim must behave… There isn’t one way of reacting.”
He added that he “strongly supports” victims’ commissioner Claire Waxman, who wants a legal duty requiring judges to issue directions to juries on rape myths in every rape trial.
Mr Brand will spend the weekend in custody before returning to Southwark Crown Court on Monday for sentencing.