Brand barrister’s cross-examination of victims shocking and depressing, says Labour deputy
Summary
Labour deputy leader and Education Secretary Lucy Powell said she was shocked by the questioning of Russell Brand’s victims during his trial and called parts of it depressing. She also said she and former Labour leader Ed Miliband regret an interview with Brand in 2015, given what is now known about his conduct.Key Facts
- Powell criticized Brand’s barrister for suggesting that the victims’ lack of resistance or attempts to leave showed Brand was innocent.
- Powell praised the judge’s statement that a person’s clothing, behavior or level of intoxication does not remove their right to withhold consent.
- The judge said the victims had faced additional suffering because of the conduct in court on Brand’s instructions.
- Brand was sentenced to 10 years and six months in prison for raping one woman and sexually assaulting three others.
- Powell said the government had updated guidance to challenge rape myths and victim-blaming, but that more work was needed.
- Powell said she and Miliband regret the 2015 interview, which took place while Miliband was Labour leader and Powell was the party’s campaign chief.
- Powell said Brand had been a prominent public figure who received platforms from people and organizations including Hollywood and the BBC.
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