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Brand’s barrister refers himself to watchdog after court confrontation
Developing story first seen 1 hour ago
Ian Winter KC has referred himself to the Bar Standards Board after confronting journalist Rosamund Urwin outside court, shortly after Russell Brand was convicted. Winter said press accounts of the exchange meant his professional duty required him to report the allegations for scrutiny.
Winter told Urwin, whose reporting helped bring Brand’s accusers forward, “I hope you are pleased with yourself” and “You fucked it.” A jury found Brand guilty of raping a 21-year-old fan in 2009 and sexually assaulting three women between 2004 and 2009; it cleared him of two other rape charges and one attempted indecent assault. Brand, 51, remains in custody and is due to be sentenced on Monday.
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In short
- Ian Winter referred himself to the Bar Standards Board.
- He confronted journalist Rosamund Urwin outside court.
- Brand was convicted of rape and three sexual assaults.
How this story developed
- 17 minutes ago Russell Brand’s barrister, Ian Winter KC, has referred himself to the Bar Standards Board after confronting Sunday Times journalist Rosamund Urwin outside court.
- 19 minutes ago Ian Winter KC has referred himself to the Bar Standards Board after confronting journalist Rosamund Urwin outside court, shortly after Russell Brand was convicted. Winter said press accounts of the exchange meant his professional duty required him to report the allegations for scrutiny.
Where outlets differ
Left-leaning outlets 1
Only here: refers, watchdog, court, confrontation
Right-leaning outlets 1
Only here: russell, winter, regulator, shouting, congratulations
Every side used: brand, barrister, himself
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The case for
Winter’s decision to refer himself to the regulator can be seen as a responsible step towards independent scrutiny, particularly if he believes press accounts of the confrontation were incomplete or unfair. Advocates of this view may argue that barristers should be able to challenge reporting they consider misleading, while recognising that any concerns must be raised professionally and that the jury, not the journalist, reached the verdict.
The case against
The remarks can be seen as an unjustified personal attack on a journalist whose reporting helped bring the allegations to public attention, and as implying she was responsible for the jury’s decision. Advocates of this view may argue that barristers have a duty to uphold professional standards, especially in a highly sensitive case, and that referring himself to the regulator does not lessen the impact of the confrontation.
Explained simply
A barrister is a lawyer who represents clients in court. Ian Winter KC represented Russell Brand, an actor and comedian who faced several charges involving women; a jury found him guilty of some charges and cleared him of others.
Rosamund Urwin is a journalist whose reporting helped bring Brand’s accusers forward. The Bar Standards Board regulates barristers in England and Wales and can examine concerns about their professional conduct.
The case concerns allegations of sexual offences said to have taken place between 2004 and 2009. It has drawn attention to how journalists, lawyers and courts each play different roles in reporting, defending and deciding criminal cases.
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Originally published by The Guardian as “Russell Brand barrister reports himself to bar watchdog over confronting Sunday Times journalist”.