Labour's deputy leader Lucy Powell has said Russell Brand's victims were treated in a "shocking and depressing" way during his rape and sexual assault trial. She said "more steps" need to be taken to safeguard victims in court.
Brand, 51, was sentenced to 10 years and six months in prison after being found guilty of one count of rape and three counts of sexual assault involving four women. He was convicted of raping one of his fans at his London home in 2009, as well as sexually assaulting three female staffers at various TV and radio stations.
Criticism of defence barrister
Brand's defence barrister Ian Winter KC faced backlash for claiming the rape should only be "regarded as a man who went too far" and that the victims were "not particularly vulnerable at all". Winter also argued that Brand's crimes were due to his level of fame at the time and said he could not be a rapist as his accusers had not "resisted or screamed or even tried to leave".
Speaking to BBC Radio 4, Powell said: "I was shocked and depressed, quite honestly, as I'm sure many, many others were, to hear of some of that cross-examination and the way that these that women were treated in this trial. I think we all thought that that era was long behind us. Clearly, more steps need to be taken in this regard."
Calls for review of rape cases
Andy Burnham has said he will look at how rape cases are conducted in court after Brand's conviction, to prevent women feeling like they are the ones on trial. The prime minister said he will study Brand's case in "great detail" and refused to rule out changes to the law.
Winter has reported himself to his professional regulator after launching a foul-mouthed attack on a journalist shortly after Brand was sentenced. He turned on Sunday Times journalist Rosamund Urwin, whose investigation helped bring Brand's victims forward, telling her: "I hope you are pleased with yourself." Urwin fired back, "I'm pleased justice has been done," to which Winter replied: "Well, it wasn't. You f***** it. Congratulations."
Media coverage rejected by judge
The exchange came after Brand's legal team sought to blame media coverage for the case against him, with Winter arguing during the trial that reporting by Urwin and others had "poisoned the well" and made it impossible for his client to receive a fair trial. His claims were rejected by trial judge Mr Justice Bennathan, who dismissed Brand's bid to prevent the trial from going ahead because of negative media coverage.
