The barrister representing Russell Brand at his trial for rape and sexual assault has referred himself to the bar’s standards committee over his conduct at Southwark Crown Court last week.
It was reported last week that as Ian Winter KC left court having failed to get Brand off all the charges, he shouted at the investigative journalist who had successfully uncovered the allegations against the comedian.
Rosamund Urwin from The Sunday Times was responsible for many of the victims in the case coming forward. Winter confronted her in an angry tirade, saying ‘I hope you’re happy’, to which Urwin responded she was happy justice had been done. Winters continued ‘well it wasn’t, you fucked it.’
Winter said in a statement on Friday: ‘Having seen the ways matters have been characterised in today’s press, I consider my professional duty requires me to self-report those allegations to the Bar Standards Board so the matter can be subject to proper scrutiny. I have made such a report.’
A source told the Justice Gap that during the trial dozens of journalists were present at Southwark Crown Court, and on the final day of the trial were sitting and standing in the packed corridor that leads from Court 3 where the trial was held, to the robing room, where the incident took place.
During the trial Winter made the claim that reporting on the allegations against Brand by The Sunday Times, Channel 4 and others had ‘poisoned the well of justice’ and he made a failed attempt to have the case thrown out.
It has also been reported that he relied on concerning ‘rape myths’ in his defence of Brand, telling the jury that it was inconceivable that having slept with thousands of women his client ‘only’ raped three. He also drew attention to the fact that many of his victims had not fought back or lashed out against Brand during the attacks, and that in one case he had left his phone number and email address for his victim, apparently evidence that he had no malicious intent. He asked why one victim ‘didn’t just roll over and kick out in any way’. He added that the victim ‘didn’t scream or resist or call out.’
The charity End Violence Against Women said: ‘Rape myths like the ones we’ve seen in this case have no place anywhere in our society, including and especially in the courtroom. This kind of cynical attempt to discredit survivors pushes back progress both in access to justice and also in tackling harmful attitudes and beliefs across society.’
A former member of the Bar Standards Board told the Justice Gap that any punishment or reprimand Winter receives is likely to be greatly alleviated by the fact that he has referred himself for scrutiny – something that the body will take strongly in mitigation.
Russell Brand is due to be sentenced today after being found guilty of raping a woman and sexually assaulting three others in incidents taking place between 2005-2009.
