Brand’s barrister refers himself to regulator after report he confronted journalist

Russell Brand’s defence barrister, Ian Winter KC, has referred himself to the Bar Standards Board following reports that he confronted a Sunday Times journalist linked to a media investigation into Brand in 2023. Rosamund Urwin, the journalist involved, recounted in a Times and Sunday Times podcast that she introduced herself to Winter outside the court after verdicts were delivered. According to Urwin, Winter responded with a “snarl” and said, “I hope you’re pleased with yourself.” She recalled replying, “I am pleased that justice has been done,” though she mentioned she could not remember this clearly and had read it in reports. Winter reportedly retorted that she was not pleased, using profanity to suggest she was to blame.

Ian Winter issued a statement expressing concerns about how the situation had been portrayed in the media, which he believes needs “proper scrutiny.” Consequently, he felt it was his professional responsibility to self-report the incident to the Bar Standards Board, the regulatory body overseeing barristers in England and Wales to protect the public interest. “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, so the matter can be subject to proper scrutiny. I have made such a report,” Winter said.

The case against Russell Brand centers on serious allegations made by four women, who accused him of rape, sexual assault, and emotional abuse in a joint investigation by Channel 4 Dispatches and the Times and Sunday Times in September 2023. Brand has consistently denied the claims. However, following a four-week trial, he was found guilty on one count of rape and three counts of sexual assault. It is important to note that none of the women involved in the media investigation were the complainants in the criminal trial. Before the trial, Brand attempted to have the case dismissed on the grounds that intense publicity had compromised his right to a fair trial, but his application was rejected by prosecutors.

In addition to the convictions, Brand is under investigation for two further rape allegations made by other women. Court documents from a hearing at Southwark Crown Court revealed one of the alleged victims was 16 years old at the time of the incident and had appeared in a Channel 4 documentary. Brand denies these additional accusations. The aftermath of the trial has seen Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley commend the bravery of the women who came forward, acknowledging that it is likely more victims will emerge. Rowley emphasized the efforts by police to pursue justice against those accused of sexual offenses, no matter their influence. Meanwhile, political figures, like Prime Minister Andy Burnham, have responded to questions regarding Labour Party’s past connections with Brand, describing the convictions as “horrific” and asserting that they were unaware of the full extent of Brand’s actions. Brand remains in custody pending sentencing, with the presiding judge, Mr Justice Bennathan, warning him to prepare for a substantial prison term