Content Warning: This article contains references to rape and sexual assault.
Russell Brand’s defence barrister, Ian Winter KC, has reported himself to the Bar Standards Board following an angry confrontation with a journalist outside court. The incident followed Brand’s conviction on one count of rape and three counts of sexual assault.
Ian Winter KC confronts reporter following Russell Brand’s rape conviction
According to The Standard, Ian Winter confronted Sunday Times journalist Rosamund Urwin outside a courtroom at Southwark Crown Court on Thursday, Nov. 5. The heated exchange took place shortly after Brand was convicted. Urwin had worked on the 2023 investigation that helped bring the allegations against Brand to public attention.
“I hope you are pleased with yourself,” Winter told her. Urwin responded, “I’m pleased justice has been done.” The barrister then retorted, “Well, it wasn’t. You f***** it,” before adding, “Congratulations.”
Winter subsequently issued a statement confirming that he had reported himself to the Bar Standards Board, his professional regulator. “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,” he said.
The confrontation also drew criticism from The Sunday Times editor Ben Taylor. Defending Urwin, Taylor described Winter’s reaction as extraordinary. He stressed that the jury, not the reporter, had reached the verdict after hearing the evidence and the defence’s arguments.
During the trial, Winter challenged the media coverage surrounding Brand. He argued that reporting by journalists like Urwin had “poisoned the well” and made a fair trial impossible. However, the trial judge, Mr Justice Bennathan, rejected the defence’s attempt to stop the proceedings, ruling that an impartial jury could be selected.
Brand was remanded in custody following the verdicts and is due to be sentenced on Nov. 9. The judge indicated that he faces a significant custodial sentence.s and is due to be sentenced on November 9. The judge indicated that he faces a significant custodial sentence.
