Branding Russell

I suppose the lesson for Russell Brand is to not be a twat in the first place and not to advertise the fact you're sexually incontinent.

The newspaper which launched this story is not a gossip rag; The Times is the paper of record and has an enviable record at that. There will be a team of lawyers on its payroll, and that of C4, telling them exactly what thet can and cannot say, based on the evidence that has been unearthed.

Many are castigating what they call a trial by media, but I wonder whether they were as vocal when the Weinstein story was reported in the US press and led to a court case. What the media has done is merely unearth evidence, which can be tested and contested in court.

Others are maintaining that Brand is innocent until proven guilty, unaware that the presumption of innocence is a legal device that applies only within a court of law and puts the onus on the prosecution to prove a case. It does not prevent Joe Public having an opinion, or voicing that opinion. What stops that is the law of libel, if the defendant is indeed found innocent by a court of law. The presumption of innocence did not apply to Jimmy Savile as he was never brought to court, but it can hardly be claimed he was innocent.

Brand too has recourse to the law to defend his reputation. However, when the Times and Channel 4 declare his guilt, that is 100%; when Brand declares his innocence, that is only 50%, because while the innocent will maintain they are innocent, the guilty also invariably maintain their innocence, thereby diluting the odds. The odds are therefore stacked against Brand in the court of public opinion.

As for the media launching an investigation, the publicity generated may persuade other victims to come forward on realising they're not on their own. It could, however, also bring forward cranks.

Unfortunately for Brand, his persona and previous actions make it easier for the public to believe he's guilty than innocent, and that's the fault of no-one but Brand.

His mum, Jo Brand, must be furious....