‘You fucked it’: Russell Brand barrister reports himself to watchdog over confrontation with journalist
Barrister refers himself to regulator
Winter said in a statement issued on Friday lunchtime that he had referred himself to the Bar Standards Board, his professional regulator. The referral followed allegations that he launched a tirade at Urwin shortly after the verdict.
Urwin told a Times podcast that she approached Winter after the trial because her name had come up during proceedings. She said she had intended to introduce herself and was surprised by the way he spoke to her.
Exchange after the verdict
Urwin replied to Winter, “I’m pleased justice has been done,” according to the account. Winter responded, “Well, it wasn’t. You fucked it.” The article’s headline quote records Winter telling Urwin, “I hope you are pleased with yourself.” Her reporting for the Sunday Times had led to Brand’s victims coming forward.
Criticism from officials and editor
Sunday Times editor Ben Taylor defended Urwin and called Winter’s conduct extraordinary. He said Winter was impugning both her integrity and that of the case, adding that Urwin was not the person who found Brand guilty at Southwark crown court.
Scotland Yard head Mark Rowley told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme that what he had heard came close to victim-blaming. A Ministry of Justice spokesperson said rape myths had no place in courts and victims should never feel they were on trial.
Key points
- Winter referred himself to the Bar Standards Board after confronting Urwin.
- Brand was convicted of raping one woman and sexually assaulting three others.
- The Sunday Times editor and Scotland Yard head criticised the reported remarks.
- A spokesperson said complaints are usually confidential unless they lead to a disciplinary tribunal hearing.