Prime Minister Andy Burnham has stated that Russell Brand has been appropriately held accountable for his "horrific" crimes and attempted to address Labour's earlier connections with the comedian. According to BBC News, Brand was convicted on Thursday of one count of rape and three counts of sexual assault.
Burnham explained his past support for Brand by saying:
It's not always the case that people know everything about people in public life.The Prime Minister added that Brand's crimes are "horrific" and that he has "rightly been held to account, justice for the victims and that is the right course that's been taken here."
Labour's association with Brand dated back more than a decade, before any police investigation into the comedian began. Ed Miliband, who was Labour leader at the time, was interviewed by Brand ahead of the 2015 general election. In 2014, when Burnham served as shadow health secretary, he posted on Twitter in support of Brand following allegations about the comedian's housing arrangements.
The 2014 tweet came after The Sun reported that Brand had paid rent at a property owned by a landlord based in a tax haven, while simultaneously campaigning against tax avoidance. Brand responded by threatening legal action against the newspaper and pledging to donate any settlement to victims of the Hillsborough disaster, a cause Burnham has championed for years. At that time, Burnham described it as
depressing to see media mission to discredit someone who stops playing their gameand encouraged Brand to
keep going.
When questioned about that social media post on Friday, Burnham told the BBC:
all I can say is I had no idea of the full extent of what he was doing or what he went on to do. He further stated:
It's not always the case that people know everything about people in public life, but what is important is that where there is wrongdoing it is exposed.
Burnham also acknowledged the role of those who brought the allegations forward, saying:
Credit to the victims, huge credit, the courage that it's taken, but also the journalists who've exposed this.
What were the charges and verdict?
Brand faced allegations spanning a decade between 1999 and 2009 from six women during a four-week trial. The 51-year-old was convicted of one rape charge and three sexual assault charges. According to the Crown Prosecution Service, the four offences for which Brand was convicted took place between 2004 and 2009 and involved four women. He was found not guilty of two other rape counts and one count of attempted indecent assault.
What happens next for Brand?
Brand was refused bail and spent the weekend in custody. He is due to return to Southwark Crown Court on Monday, 9 November for sentencing. The judge indicated Brand faces a "significant" prison term, with rape sentences in England and Wales typically ranging from 4 to 19 years depending on the circumstances of each case.
Could more allegations emerge?
Two further allegations against Brand are already being investigated by police. Metropolitan Police Commissioner Mark Rowley said he would not be surprised if more people come forward following the conviction.
Key Facts
- Brand was convicted of one rape and three sexual assaults involving four women between 2004 and 2009
- He was acquitted of two rape charges and one attempted indecent assault charge
- Burnham, as shadow health secretary in 2014, had publicly supported Brand over a housing controversy before any criminal investigation began
- Sentencing is scheduled for Monday, 9 November at Southwark Crown Court
- Police expect additional allegations to emerge following the conviction
