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Russell Brand lawyer who yelled ‘you f***ed it’ at journalist reports himself to regulator
Developing story first seen 2 hours ago
New since the previous account, Ian Winter KC says he has referred himself to the Bar Standards Board after being accused of insulting journalist Rosamund Urwin outside Southwark Crown Court. The exchange happened shortly after a jury found Russell Brand guilty, and has drawn criticism from the editor of the newspaper where Urwin works.
Winter told Urwin, whose reporting preceded women coming forward, “I hope you are pleased with yourself”. When she said she was pleased justice had been done, he replied that it had not and used an expletive. Winter said press coverage meant his professional duty required him to report the allegations for scrutiny. Brand was convicted of raping a 21-year-old fan in 2009 and sexually assaulting three women in separate incidents between 2004 and 2009; he denied the charges and is due to be sentenced on Monday.
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In short
- Ian Winter KC has referred himself to the Bar Standards Board.
- His exchange with journalist Rosamund Urwin followed Brand’s conviction.
- Brand was convicted of rape and three counts of sexual assault.
How this story developed
- 1 hour ago Russell Brand’s barrister, Ian Winter KC, has reported himself to the Bar Standards Board after an exchange with journalist Rosamund Urwin outside Southwark Crown Court.
- 1 hour ago New since the previous account, Ian Winter KC says he has referred himself to the Bar Standards Board after being accused of insulting journalist Rosamund Urwin outside Southwark Crown Court.
Full account
Ian Winter KC, barrister for Russell Brand, says he has referred himself to the Bar Standards Board after an angry exchange with Sunday Times journalist Rosamund Urwin outside Southwark Crown Court. The incident took place on Thursday, shortly after a jury returned its verdicts in Brand’s trial.
According to the accounts, Winter told Urwin he hoped she was pleased with herself. She replied that she was pleased justice had been done; he responded that it had not, swore at her and added, “Congratulations”. Several journalists witnessed the exchange. Urwin’s reporting, alongside work by other journalists, had brought allegations against Brand to public attention.
In a statement on Friday, Winter said he had reported the allegations about his conduct to his regulator because press accounts of the incident meant his professional duty required the matter to receive proper scrutiny. Brand had denied the charges. The jury found him guilty of rape and three counts of sexual assault, and cleared him of two other rape counts and attempted indecent assault.
The Sunday Times editor, Ben Taylor, defended Urwin in an interview with Times Radio. He said the verdicts were reached by the jury, not the journalist, and argued that Winter’s remarks challenged the integrity of the case and those who took part in it. During the trial, Winter had argued that media coverage had prejudiced Brand’s right to a fair trial; the judge rejected an attempt to stop the proceedings.
Where outlets differ
From the full account, which is AI-written from the sources:
The first report focuses on Taylor’s criticism and the trial judge’s rejection of Brand’s attempt to block the trial. The second adds biographical details about Winter and Urwin, chamber testimonials, the police investigation and the charges on which Brand was acquitted.
The second report says Brand was expected to return to court on Monday for sentencing; the first does not mention that. Both accounts describe the exchange and Winter’s self-report, though they vary slightly in how they punctuate and reproduce his words.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Winter’s self-referral can be seen as a responsible way to invite independent scrutiny of whether his conduct met professional standards. A barrister may also argue that his view that press coverage affected the fairness of the case was a legitimate concern to raise, even if the timing and manner of expressing it drew criticism.
The case against
A barrister’s duty to uphold professional standards includes treating others with respect, and directing an expletive at a journalist outside court may fall short of that duty. Urwin’s reporting was part of the public scrutiny surrounding the case, and challenging it in a personal exchange after the verdict risks appearing to intimidate journalists or undermine confidence in the proceedings.
Coverage · 2 sources
Bias meters
From 2 rated sources.