Before Russell Brand was remanded in custody facing a lengthy prison sentence for rape and sexual assault, the disgraced comedian was at the centre of a fierce ideological battle with Downing Street over his anti-voting campaign.
At the height of his mainstream fame, Brand positioned himself as an anti-establishment voice, urging young Britons to boycott elections. Ahead of the 2015 General Election, his rhetoric drew direct interventions from the highest levels of government.
Brand's anti-voting campaign
Brand said at the time: "As far as I'm concerned there is nothing to vote for. I feel it is a far more potent political act to completely renounce the current paradigm than to participate in even the most trivial and tokenistic manner, by obediently X-ing a little box." He later added: "Don't bother voting. Stop voting, stop pretending, wake up, be in reality now. Why vote? We know it's not going to make any difference."
He also led a rally alongside left-wing figures including Jeremy Corbyn.
Cameron's direct response
Speaking to apprentices at BAE Systems in Warton, Lancashire, on March 21, 2015, then-Prime Minister David Cameron directly confronted the comedian's influence after being asked what message he had for young non-voters.
"What I would say to everyone, please vote, even if you're not going to vote for me," Cameron said. "But I would also challenge the whole kind of Russell Brand nonsense about voting doesn't matter or doesn't make any difference. I think he's completely wrong. It does make a difference."
Emphasising the electorate's power, Cameron added: "One of the great things about voting is you can get rid of people you don't like. In our system, you know, whether it's your local council, whether it is your Prime Minister, your Member of Parliament, you can chuck them out, literally. You know, if you vote against me on 8 May, I'll be driving a removal van up Downing Street and packing up and going."
Lord Wallace's warning
Months earlier, then HM Advocate General for Scotland, Lord Wallace, also warned students against Brand's cynicism during a graduation address at Glasgow Clyde College. Speaking shortly after the 2014 Scottish independence referendum, Lord Wallace said: "Don't be seduced by wit and charm of people like Russell Brand, who would urge you not even to vote at elections."
Quoting Brand's claim that voting was "trivial and tokenistic" and merely "obediently X-ing a little box", Lord Wallace told graduates: "That is insulting to all of you who voted on September 18, whatever choice you made in that vote."
Conviction and sentencing
On Thursday, a jury at Southwark Crown Court found the 51-year-old guilty of one count of rape and three counts of sexual assault committed between 2004 and 2009. He was convicted of sexually assaulting an MTV employee at a Soho bar in 2004, sexually assaulting a radio worker in 2004 or 2005, anally raping a woman at his Hampstead home in 2009, and sexually assaulting a Channel 4 employee in 2009. He was acquitted of three other charges.
Brand told his wife, Laura Gallacher, "I love you," and mouthed, "I'm good," to his solicitors before being led to the cells. Remanding him in custody ahead of sentencing on Monday, 9 November, Mr Justice Bennathan warned Brand to expect a "significant custodial term". Brand also remains under Met Police investigation over two further rape allegations, including one involving a 16-year-old schoolgirl.
Detective Superintendent Andy Furphy said outside court: "Brand used his influence, status and fame to exploit and sexually offend against women. As his profile grew, so too did his sense of entitlement."
