# Burnham eyes rape trial law change after Brand conviction

> Prime Minister Andy Burnham says he will study how rape cases are conducted in court following Russell Brand's conviction, amid concerns that trial procedures leave women feeling they are on trial.
- Title: Burnham eyes rape trial law change after Brand conviction
- Summary: Prime Minister Andy Burnham says he will study how rape cases are conducted in court following Russell Brand's conviction, amid concerns that trial…
- Keywords: andy burnham, russell brand, rape trial, rape conviction, trial procedure, mark rowley, claire waxman, sexual assault, The Independent
- Source: The Independent — https://independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/burnham-russell-brand-rape-trial-guilty-b3080736.html
- Published: 2026-11-07T00:01:00+00:00
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: andy burnham, russell brand, rape trial, rape conviction, trial procedure, mark rowley, claire waxman, sexual assault, politics, news
## Burnham considers rape trial reform
Prime Minister Andy Burnham said he will examine how rape cases are conducted in court after Russell Brand's conviction, to ensure women do not feel they are on trial.

> I think we need to constantly look at the way rape trials are conducted to make sure that they do not leave the woman feeling like she is on trial in court
## Burnham won't rule out legal changes
Asked whether examining rape trials means changing the law, Burnham said he would not rule anything out and would study what happened in Brand's case in great detail.

> I wouldn't rule anything out, of course not... I will study what's happened here in great detail.
## Brand convicted of rape and assault
Russell Brand, fifty-one, was found guilty of one count of rape and three counts of sexual assault at Southwark Crown Court. He was acquitted of two rape charges and attempted indecent assault.
## Police chief warns of victim blaming
Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley said some reporting from Brand's trial was getting very close to victim blaming, after Brand's defence lawyer told jurors the complainants had not resisted or screamed.

> I think what I've heard reported heads towards... victim blaming.
## Rowley backs jury guidance on rape myths
Sir Mark Rowley strongly supports Victims' Commissioner Claire Waxman's call for a legal duty requiring judges to issue directions to juries on rape myths and misconceptions in every rape trial.

> I strongly support Claire.
## Rowley expects more Brand accusers
Sir Mark Rowley said he would not be surprised if many more alleged victims of Russell Brand came forward, noting that high-profile cases often lead to a rise in reporting.

> I clearly wouldn't be surprised if many more came forward.
## Culture secretary calls for industry reckoning
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy called for Brand's case to be a wake up call to media and entertainment industries, saying we owe it to the women who came forward to ensure this is the line…

> we owe it to all of the women who so bravely came forward in this case, and other victims of abuse, to ensure this is the line in the sand
## Brand faces sentencing on Monday
Judge Mr Justice Bennathan told Brand he faces a significant custodial term when sentenced on Monday. The jury took around nine hours to deliver verdicts on the seven allegations against him.
## Key takeaway

Prime Minister Andy Burnham said he will examine rape trial procedures after Russell Brand's conviction, refusing to rule out legal changes to prevent women from feeling they are on trial.