Russell Brand conviction: Burnham pledges legal reform to support rape victims
PM Andy Burnham says Brand victims' courage will drive changes to the legal system, including rape trial rules and new specialist police teams.
Burnham vows to overhaul rape trial rules after Brand's conviction
The courage shown by the women who reported Russell Brand will bring about lasting changes to the legal system, Prime Minister Andy Burnham said, as reported by the Evening Standard.
Brand, 51, was found guilty at Southwark Crown Court last week of raping a woman in 2009 and sexually assaulting female TV and radio workers between 2004 and 2009.
Speaking at a hospital in Hertfordshire while Brand's sentencing hearing was under way, Burnham said he would be "relentless in making whatever improvements we can" to provide more support for victims.
"I don't think you ever can do enough to get the right support in place for victims to give them the confidence to come forward," Burnham said, "because we know that still isn't there in the way that it should be."
The Prime Minister announced he had already moved to accelerate the rollout of rape and serious sexual offence (RASSO) teams across every police force in England and Wales, bringing the deadline forward from 2029 to the end of next year. He cited his record as mayor of Greater Manchester as a foundation for the approach.
"Their bravery will, I believe, change the system more broadly," Burnham said of Brand's accusers, "and we will be relentless in making whatever improvements we can. But there's no complacency here. There's a lot more that needs to change."
Last week, Burnham told Times Radio he would "look closely" at proposals made by Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley, who backed calls to change legislation to address what he described as "rape myths". Sir Mark said some of what emerged from Brand's trial was "very close to victim blaming".
Victims Commissioner Claire Waxman echoed that concern, saying juries should receive guidance on "rape myths" and criticising "outdated and harmful assumptions" — including the expectation that victims must have screamed or attempted to physically resist their attacker.
During the trial, Brand's barrister Ian Winter KC told the court that none of the complainants had "resisted or screamed or even tried to leave", a line of argument that drew significant criticism from campaigners and officials alike.
Burnham's comments came as Brand received a sentence of ten years and six months for the offences.
Source: Evening Standard