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Deputy Labour leader defends Ed Miliband appearing on Russell Brand’s YouTube show
Labour deputy leader Lucy Powell defended Ed Miliband’s 2015 appearance on Russell Brand’s online show, saying it happened in a “different era” before Brand’s predatory sexual behaviour was known. She said Brand had approached Labour and was then a prominent public figure, while acknowledging that she and others involved would regret the interview in light of what is now known.
Miliband took part in The Trews during his unsuccessful campaign for prime minister, hoping to encourage young people to vote. Powell said Brand was jailed for 10-and-a-half years for raping a fan and sexually assaulting three television and radio workers. Miliband said in 2023 that he regretted the interview; Powell also urged women to come forward and said they should be supported and believed.
In short
- Powell says the 2015 interview happened before Brand’s predatory behaviour was known.
- Brand was jailed for 10-and-a-half years for rape and sexual assaults.
- Miliband has said he regrets appearing on Brand’s show.
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The case for
Powell’s defence rests on judging the decision in its 2015 context: Brand was then a prominent public figure, and Miliband’s stated aim was to encourage young people to vote. On that account, the appearance was a political outreach choice made before Brand’s predatory behaviour was known, rather than an endorsement of it; Powell also acknowledges that those involved may now regret it.
The case against
A prominent politician’s decision to appear on a high-profile platform still merits scrutiny, particularly when the appearance could lend its host credibility and reach. Even if Brand’s later crimes were not known, critics can reasonably argue that political outreach does not remove the need to consider the risks of association, and that the interview’s consequences look different in light of the harm later revealed.
Explained simply
Ed Miliband led Labour into the 2015 general election, when he was seeking to become prime minister. During the campaign, he appeared on The Trews, an online show hosted by comedian and broadcaster Russell Brand, as part of an effort to encourage young people to vote.
Lucy Powell is Labour’s deputy leader. Her comments refer to the interview in light of Brand’s later criminal convictions for rape and sexual assault; Miliband has previously said he regretted taking part.
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