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 outside court. The incident occurred shortly after verdicts were delivered in the comedian’s recent criminal trial, where he was found guilty of one count of rape and three counts of sexual assault. Ian Winter, left in this court sketch, reportedly verbally clashed with a reporter who had previously investigated his client.
Rosamund Urwin, the journalist involved in a 2023 investigation into Brand, stated on a podcast that she introduced herself to the barrister following the court’s decision. She alleged that Winter responded with a “snarl,” telling her, “I hope you’re pleased with yourself.” Urwin noted that she responded by stating she was pleased justice had been done, to which Winter allegedly replied that it had not and used a profanity while suggesting she was responsible. But I can’t actually remember this but I’ve read it in reporting, ‘I am pleased that justice has been done'”, Urwin said, apparently I said.
In a formal statement, Winter explained that having reviewed how the encounter was characterized in the press, he determined his professional duty necessitated a self-report to the regulatory body. He stated his intention was to ensure the matter could be subjected to proper scrutiny. The Bar Standards Board serves as the regulator for barristers in England and Wales, operating in the public interest. According to in a statement, Winter, The “ways matters have been characterised” in the media meant they should be “subject to proper scrutiny”.
The criminal trial concluded following a four-week process where Brand was convicted of multiple sexual offences. During pre-trial proceedings in October, his legal team had unsuccessfully attempted to have the case dismissed, arguing that media coverage—specifically a joint investigation by Channel 4 Dispatches and the Times and Sunday Times—made a fair trial impossible. Prosecutors successfully opposed this application. None of the women who featured in the initial media investigation were the complainants in the criminal trial. His lawyers argued that the actor and entertainer could not receive a fair trial because of the publicity following the Channel 4 Dispatches, Sunday Times and Times programme. Held before Brand’s criminal trial, suggest one of the women was 16 at the time of the alleged offence and appeared in a Channel 4 documentary, court documents from a hearing at London’s Southwark Crown Court. According to at the time he, It was “depressing to see media mission to discredit someone who stops playing their game” and urged Brand to “keep going”.
Brand remains in custody pending his sentencing, scheduled for Monday, with Mr Justice Bennathan warning him to expect a “significant custodial term.” Furthermore, the comedian faces ongoing investigations regarding two additional rape allegations from different women. Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley indicated on Friday that he would not be surprised if further allegations emerged, while praising the bravery of those who provided evidence. Brand faced further questioning from officers in July 2025. According to speaking on Radio 4’s Today programme, Sir Mark praised the “bravery” of the women who, Their allegations to police and gave evidence during the trial. Before police began investigating him, some party figures sought his support more than a decade ago.
The case has also drawn scrutiny regarding past political associations with the comedian.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham and former Labour leader Ed Miliband both had public interactions with Brand prior to the police investigations.
Burnham, reflecting on past support he provided during a 2014 controversy regarding the comedian’s housing, described the recent crimes as “horrific” and emphasized that he was unaware of the full extent of Brand’s actions at the time. And in 2014 Burnham publicly backed Brand during a row over claims about the comedian’s housing arrangements, then Labour leader Ed Miliband was interviewed by Brand shortly before the 2015 election.
He noted that it is not always possible to know everything about individuals in public life, adding that Brand has now been rightly held to account.
