Prime Minister Andy Burnham commended the victims and investigative reporters for bringing Russell Brand's offenses to light after a four-week trial resulted in convictions for rape and sexual assault. Addressing historical links, Burnham explained that he had no knowledge of the criminal conduct when he publicly defended the comedian in 2014 against media reporting on tax issues. The prime minister also reflected on wider Labour efforts to court the entertainer's endorsement, including an interview conducted during the 2015 general election campaign. Brand was denied bail and remains in custody awaiting his formal sentencing hearing.
Key points
Prime Minister Andy Burnham stated that he had no knowledge of Brand's illicit actions du…: Prime Minister Andy Burnham stated that he had no knowledge of Brand's illicit actions during their past public interactions.
The Labour Party previously engaged with Brand, which included attempts to win his politi…: The Labour Party previously engaged with Brand, which included attempts to win his political support and an interview with former leader Ed Miliband.
Burnham praised the courage of both the victims and journalists whose efforts successfull…: Burnham praised the courage of both the victims and journalists whose efforts successfully brought the criminal wrongdoing to justice.
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Prime Minister Andy Burnham has said Russell Brand has rightly been held to account for his "horrific" crimes and sought to explain Labour's previous association with the comedian.
Brand was found guilty of one count of rape and three counts of sexual assault on Thursday.
Some within the Labour Party attempted to court Brand's support more than a decade ago, before police began investigating him.
Speaking on Friday, Burnham said: "It's not always the case that people know everything about people in public life."
Ed Miliband, then the Labour leader, was interviewed by Brand in the run-up to the 2015 general election.
In 2014, Burnham, then the shadow health secretary, posted on Twitter in support of Brand following allegations about the comedian's housing arrangements.
It is not clear what Burnham had been referring to in his 2014 tweet, but the previous day, The Sun claimed Brand had paid rent at a property owned by a landlord in a tax haven, while at the same time campaigning against tax avoidance.
Brand threatened to sue the newspaper and said he…
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