Prime Minister Andy Burnham has spoken out after Russell Brand was convicted of rape and sexual assault, describing the comedian's actions as "horrifying" and praising the bravery of the women who came forward.
Brand was found guilty yesterday (November 5) of raping one of his fans and sexually assaulting three women during his showbiz career. He spent his first night in a cell ahead of a potentially years-long imprisonment.
Prime Minister praises victims' courage
Speaking to Times Radio, Mr Burnham said: "It's horrifying what Russell Brand has done.
"And I'd firstly like to praise the bravery of the women, the victims in the case, who've come forward and had the courage to speak out.
"But yes, the journalists too, who supported those who had been abused by Russell Brand and worse. So all of them deserve our praise for having that courage to stand forward."
Conviction follows showbiz-era offences
The conviction relates to offences committed during Brand's rise to fame, when he assaulted and raped fans. The case has drawn widespread attention, with the Prime Minister's comments highlighting the significance of the verdict.
This is a breaking news story and will be updated.
