Defence barrister self-reports to regulator after abusive outburst at journalist following Russell Brand convictions

Ian Winter KC, the lead defence counsel for comedian Russell Brand, lodged a self-report with the Bar Standards Board after he verbally attacked Sunday Times journalist Rosamund Urwin outside Southwark Crown Court. The incident occurred shortly after a jury found Brand guilty of rape and three counts of sexual assault.

Winter approached Urwin, who had authored the 2023 investigation that prompted the victims to come forward, and said, "I hope you are pleased with yourself." Urwin replied, "I’m pleased justice has been done," to which Winter responded, "Well, it wasn’t. You f***** it," and added, "Congratulations."

"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," Winter said in a statement issued on Friday.

"I thought he’s talked about me a lot, I’ll go and introduce myself and that is a legitimate thing to do. I was surprised to be confronted and spoken to in that way," Urwin told a Times podcast after the verdict.

The exchange was witnessed by a group of journalists. Ben Taylor, editor of The Sunday Times, described Winter’s conduct as "extraordinary" and "reprehensible," emphasizing that the jury, not the newspaper, delivered the verdict.

Brand, 51, denied the charges and claimed the media coverage constituted a conspiracy against him. The trial judge rejected Brand’s attempt to halt the proceedings on the basis of prior reporting. Winter had previously argued that the press coverage had "poisoned the well" for a fair trial.

Brand remains in custody pending sentencing, scheduled for the following Monday.