Nandy: Abuse like that in the Russell Brand case is ‘probably happening today’

The Culture Secretary has warned that the kind of conduct examined in the Russell Brand case is “probably happening today”, arguing that the media and entertainment industries have not changed enough to protect people who speak up.

Lisa Nandy was speaking to Sky News on Sunday, days after Brand was convicted at Southwark Crown Court of one count of rape and three counts of sexual assault. He is due to be sentenced on Monday. Because sentencing has not yet taken place, this report is limited to what has been said in court and by officials.

What Nandy said about the industry

“Hand on heart, I don’t think we can say that this couldn’t happen today,” Nandy said. “In fact, I would wager that this is probably happening today, and I don’t think that the industry is doing enough to tackle it.”

She said she could not see what had changed in the way many media and entertainment institutions help people come forward, or in how they protect and support them. She stressed that these industries carry a particular responsibility, as politics does. Short-term, flexible contracts and large power imbalances are common, she said, and speaking up “can really cost you your reputation and cost you opportunities”.

The Independent reports that people from institutions including the BBC have approached Nandy with allegations of their own.

Whistleblower protections and court reform

Nandy urged media organisations to join the Creative Industries Independent Standards Authority, an industry body that protects whistleblowers. She said the Government is “considering what further steps we can take”. The Independent reports that making whistleblower protections mandatory for media organisations is among the possibilities.

The fallout has also reached the justice system. According to the Independent, Andy Burnham has announced a review of how rape cases are conducted in court, intended to stop victims feeling that they are the ones on trial. The Prime Minister called the behaviour at the centre of the Russell Brand case “horrifying”, praised the bravery of the women involved and declined to rule out legislative change.

The verdicts and what comes next

The Standard reports that the jury found Brand, 51, not guilty of two further rape charges and one count of attempted indecent assault. After the verdicts, a senior detective said Brand had used his “influence, status and fame to prey on and exploit women”.

The Metropolitan Police has since said further allegations against him are being investigated. Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley said he “wouldn’t be surprised if many, many more come forward”. No new charges have been reported in the sources.

Brand has spent three nights in custody. The judge, Mr Justice Bennathan, has told him to expect a significant custodial sentence. The sentencing hearing on Monday will show how the court views the offences. Meanwhile, the political debate Nandy has opened is likely to continue over whether voluntary industry standards go far enough or the Government should require them.

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