# Labour figures face scrutiny over past ties to Russell Brand

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/from-burnham-to-miliband-how-the-left-prostrated-themselves-before-brand-the-seedy-messiah/
- Published: 2026-11-06T06:59:26+00:00
- Updated: 2026-11-06T07:12:43+00:00
- Original publisher: Daily Mail (publisher lean: Right)
- Original article: https://www.dailymail.com/crime-desk/article-16270117/Burnham-Miliband-Left-prostrated-Brand.html?ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490&ito=1490
- Topics: World

## Key points

- Labour figures once praised or sought support from Russell Brand.
- Miliband’s 2015 interview with Brand came nine days before polling day.
- Brand had not yet been convicted when those political contacts took place.

## Summary

The article criticises prominent Labour figures for associating with Russell Brand, arguing that his anti-establishment appeal overshadowed earlier public controversies and behaviour described in his memoir. It revisits those relationships following Brand’s conviction for rape and sexual assaults, and questions the judgement of politicians and commentators who praised or promoted him.

Andy Burnham defended Brand in 2014 and praised his writing about Margaret Thatcher in 2013. Ed Miliband was interviewed by Brand on YouTube nine days before the 2015 general election, in an appearance arranged by Lucy Powell; Brand later endorsed Labour, which went on to record its worst election result since 1987. The article notes that Brand had faced earlier scandals and a charge of indecent exposure, but had not yet been convicted at the time of Miliband’s interview.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.