Russell Brand’s barrister reports himself to watchdog over post-rape trial verdict tirade

Russell Brand’s barrister reports himself to watchdog over post-rape trial verdict tirade Ian Winter KC reportedly ranted at a journalist: “I hope you are pleased with yourself” after the comedian was found guilty of rape and sexual assault - Bookmark Become an Independent member to bookmark this article Already a member? Log in Russell Brand’s barrister has referred himself to the standards watchdog after a verbal altercation with a journalist outside court after the verdict. Brand spent the night behind bars on Thursday after being found guilty of raping a fan and sexually assaulting three women at the height his showbiz career. In fraught scenes outside the courtroom, Ian Winter KC, reportedly launched into a tirade against a Sunday Times journalist who had worked on a joint 2023 investigation with Channel 4 Dispatches and The Times accusing the comedian of sexual misconduct. “I hope you are pleased with yourself”, he told Rosamund Urwin, the paper’s chief news correspondent. When she was heard replying: “I’m pleased justice has been done”, Mr Winter retorted: “Well, it wasn’t. You f***ed it.” He then added: “Congratulations.” During the trial, Mr Winter had argued The Sunday Times, The Times and Dispatches reporting had “poisoned the well of justice” against his client and made an unsuccessful bid to have the trial thrown out. In a statement issued on Friday, Mr Winter said: “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.” The Bar Standards Board previously declined to comment on whether it had received complaints against Mr Winter. This is a breaking news story, more follows... [Image text:] BREAKING NEWS