Russell Brand’s lawyer refers himself to watchdog over rant at female journalist

Russell Brand’s barrister has reported himself to his professional regulator after reportedly launching a verbal attack against a journalist after the comedian had been found guilty of rape and sexual assault. Ian Winter KC approached Sunday Times journalist Rosamund Urwin, who first reported allegations made against Brand in 2023, saying: “I hope you are pleased with yourself.” Urwin said she was “pleased justice has been done”, to which Winter replied: “Well, it wasn’t. You f**ked it”, before adding “congratulations.” In a statement sent to The Times, Winter said he had now referred himself to the Bar Standards Board, the professional regulator for barristers. The statement read: “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.” Brand had been found guilty by a jury of rape and three counts of sexual assault after a four-week trial at Southwark Crown Court. Winter is a barrister at Cloth Fair Chambers – a London-based firm which describes itself as “an elite group of King’s Counsel and leading juniors providing first-class case analysis, advice and advocacy in fraud, criminal and regulatory law”. Winter, who was called to the Bar in 1988 and took silk in 2006, previously represented Tory MP Charlie Elphicke in 2020 after he was accused of sexual assault by two women. He has been approached for comment. This is a developing story and will be updated. EXPLORE MORE ON THE TOPICS IN THIS STORY