Several senior Labour figures are facing renewed scrutiny over their past association with Russell Brand after the comedian was convicted of rape and sexual assault.
Andy Burnham, Ed Miliband and other prominent party members previously engaged with Brand as Labour sought to attract voters and rebuild its political standing following its defeat in the 2010 general election.
The renewed attention has also brought back footage of Brand discussing his history of drug addiction with Labour MP Keith Vaz during a parliamentary committee hearing in 2012.
Brand’s Appearance at Parliamentary Hearing Sparked Criticism
Brand attended a Home Affairs Committee session at the invitation of Vaz to discuss drug addiction and his experience of overcoming substance abuse.
The comedian arrived wearing a sleeveless vest and several gold chains, with his appearance and conduct prompting criticism that he had turned the serious parliamentary discussion into a variety show.
During the hearing, Brand joked about having been arrested 12 times, prompting laughter from some MPs, including Vaz.
However, the session became increasingly confrontational when Brand exchanged remarks with politicians over his behaviour and views.
Labour MP David Winnick, who was 78 at the time, accused Brand of treating the hearing like a variety show. Brand responded by comparing Winnick to a character from Dad’s Army.
The invitation also embarrassed Vaz, who was accused of seeking publicity by bringing the controversial comedian before the committee.
Vaz later left Parliament at the 2019 general election after receiving a six-month suspension from the House of Commons. The suspension followed an investigation into his offer to buy Class A drugs for male sex workers.
Burnham and Miliband Previously Engaged With Brand
Brand’s public image and controversial behaviour did not prevent senior Labour politicians from associating with him during his rise as a political commentator.
In 2014, Burnham, who was then shadow health secretary, publicly praised the comedian for using his celebrity status to help others.
Miliband, Labour’s leader ahead of the 2015 general election, also sought Brand’s support and agreed to be interviewed by him at his £2 million penthouse.
Brand had increasingly presented himself as a supporter of progressive politics and an opponent of established political parties. His anti-government and anti-establishment positions attracted attention from sections of the political left.
His earlier controversies, including the 2008 Sachsgate incident involving actor Andrew Sachs and his granddaughter, had also attracted widespread criticism.
Former Activist Says Women Raised Concerns About Brand
Former political activist ElleMae O’Hagen has recalled how some women involved in progressive political movements were treated after questioning Brand’s growing influence.
Writing on Bluesky, O’Hagen said Brand began expressing interest in progressive politics around 2013 and 2014, attending demonstrations and seeking involvement in political meetings.
She said many men welcomed his participation, while some women were more cautious because of his publicly documented behaviour towards women.
O’Hagen said she and others who raised concerns about his attitudes faced hostility from fellow activists, both online and in person.
She explained that her objections at the time focused on his public statements and behaviour rather than allegations of specific criminal offences.
According to O’Hagen, some men she had worked alongside for years dismissed her concerns and subjected her to misogynistic abuse.
Brand Later Backed Jeremy Corbyn
Following Labour’s defeat in the 2015 general election, Brand shifted his political support towards Jeremy Corbyn, who subsequently became the party’s leader.
Ahead of the 2017 general election, which resulted in a hung parliament, Brand published an article supporting Corbyn and criticising the political establishment.
He praised Corbyn’s record on issues including the Iraq War and described his positions on controversial political matters as evidence of his commitment to negotiation and peaceful solutions.
Brand and Corbyn later appeared together at a demonstration outside Parliament in 2022 supporting WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, who was facing extradition to the United States.
Brand Discussed Drug Policy With Labour Politicians
Brand also continued engaging with Labour figures over drug addiction and criminal justice policy.
At the 2017 Labour Party Conference, he appeared alongside then-shadow health secretary Jonathan Ashworth to discuss addiction and the treatment of people who use drugs.
Brand argued that criminalising drugs prevented effective regulation and contributed to the stigma surrounding addiction.
He also said some people experiencing mental health problems were being sent to prison when they needed treatment instead.
Ashworth discussed his own experience growing up with an alcoholic father who later died from alcohol-related illness. He also highlighted the increase in drug-related deaths in the UK.
Chris Bryant and Jess Phillips Also Had Public Exchanges With Brand
Labour MP Chris Bryant, now Northern Ireland Secretary, praised Brand in a newspaper column published in October 2013.
Writing in The Independent, Bryant described the comedian as intelligent and funny, saying he could make arguments on different subjects engaging.
Bryant also agreed with Brand’s criticism of the wealth gap but questioned his calls for revolution, arguing that waiting for political change was not an option for people experiencing poverty.
Jess Phillips, another Labour politician, also publicly expressed interest in Brand’s political campaign in 2013.
On Twitter, now X, Phillips said she had tried to join his revolution and asked how people could become involved. She also encouraged him to help poorer communities participate in politics.
In 2016, Phillips shared a photograph of Brand with her brother, Luke Trainor, at a substance recovery centre in Birmingham. She praised her brother’s efforts to overcome addiction.
Phillips Welcomes Brand’s Conviction
Speaking to Times Radio this week, Phillips said she felt relief following Brand’s conviction for rape and sexual assault.
She said many women would have shared that feeling, particularly given the attention surrounding the trial and the evidence presented in court.
Phillips added that she believed women would have been deeply hurt if the verdict had gone the other way.
She also praised the journalists who investigated the allegations against Brand and the Metropolitan Police for their role in the case.
