BBC News3 hours agoLaw2 min read

Brand's barrister refers himself to regulator after report he confronted journalist

Ian Winter KC referred himself to the Bar Standards Board after being accused of confronting a Sunday Times reporter outside court.

Quick Look

Russell Brand's defence barrister, Ian Winter KC, has self-reported to the Bar Standards Board following allegations that he confronted and swore at Sunday Times journalist Rosamund Urwin outside a courtroom.

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Why It Matters

Russell Brand faced a joint media investigation in 2023 involving allegations of sexual misconduct, which he has denied. The current incident occurred following a separate criminal trial involving Brand.

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Russell Brand's defence barrister has referred himself to the regulator after reports that he confronted a Sunday Times journalist who was involved in a media investigation into Brand in 2023.

In a Times and Sunday Times podcast on Thursday, Rosamund Urwin said she introduced herself to Ian Winter KC outside court after verdicts were delivered.

She claimed he responded with a "snarl" and said "I hope you're pleased with yourself".

"Apparently I said, but I can't actually remember this but I've read it in reporting, 'I am pleased that justice has been done'", Urwin added.

In a statement, Winter said the "ways matters have been characterised" in the media meant they should be "subject to proper scrutiny".

The journalist claimed that Winter also said to her "well it wasn't you" and swore at her.

On Friday, Winter said he considered his professional duty required him to self-report the allegations to the Bar Standards Board.

The Bar Standards Board regulates barristers in England and Wales in the public interest.

In a statement, 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."

Four women variously accused Brand of rape, sexual assaults and emotional abuse in a joint investigation by Channel 4 Dispatches and the Times and Sunday Times in September 2023.

The actor and comedian denied the allegations.

None of the women who featured in the media investigation were the complainants from Brand's criminal trial.

During a pre-trial hearing in October, Brand tried unsuccessfully to have his criminal case thrown out.

His lawyers argued that the actor and entertainer could not receive a fair trial because of the publicity following the Channel 4 Dispatches, Sunday Times and Times programme.

Prosecutors opposed Brand's application to have his case stopped.

Open Questions

What will be the outcome of the Bar Standards Board review?
Will there be further disciplinary action against Ian Winter KC?