𝓤𝓷𝓲𝓽𝓮𝓭 𝓝𝓮𝔀𝓼

A Restore Britain councillor has sparked outrage after rushing to the defence of sex predator Russell Brand, just hours after the disgraced comic was convicted of rape. Owain Clatworthy claimed the self-styled messiah was the victim of a “witch-hunt” by the elites, and urged him to “stay strong”.

The bizarre outburst came after a jury found Brand guilty of one count of rape and three of sexual assault. The fallen star, once one of the biggest names on British TV, was hauled off to the cells to await his sentence. But Mr Clatworthy, apparently taken in by Brand’s conspiracy-peddling online shtick, cast the convicted rapist as a martyr.

He wrote: “Funny how the real pressure only kicked off once he questioned the elites, rejected the COVID narrative, and publicly found Jesus as his Lord and saviour.”

He sneered that accusers had “dug up old claims from decades ago, when he was living a very different life”, dismissing the case as a “show trial”. Brand was “speaking truth”, he insisted.

The rant sparked a furious backlash at Westminster.

Tory MP Alicia Kearns told the Daily Express: “It is disgraceful to see an elected councillor defend a convicted rapist and launch a disgusting attack against rape survivors. He is not fit for office – these women have put a predator behind bars and deserve our support for their bravery.”

Joining the condemnation, Reform UK’s Sarah Pochin said: “This is an utterly horrific statement from an elected representative. Brand has been found guilty of some of the most heinous sexual offences by a unanimous verdict in a court of law.

“To post a message of support and demean the case as a ‘show trial’ is a complete slap in the face to all the brave women who put their heads above the parapet and challenged his predatory behaviour.”

Labour MP Preet Kaur Gill said: “Calling this a witch hunt is an insult to the women who came forward. A jury heard the evidence and convicted Russell Brand of rape and sexual assault.”

The former social worker added: “What message does it send to a woman in his own ward who is weighing up whether to go to the police when her councillor dismisses a jury’s verdict as a conspiracy?

“The women he was elected to serve have every right to ask whether he is fit to represent them.”

London Conservative Leader Susan Hall AM said: “Russell Brand was found guilty following testimonies from victims of his wicked crimes, by a jury of his peers. The implication that somehow he has been targeted for his politics or beliefs is absurd and beneath the dignity of the office of a Councillor. I am deeply disappointed by these comments and I hope Cllr Clatworthy will apologise – yesterday’s case has nothing to do with Covid or God; just a very evil and twisted man.”

Brand, 51, who reinvented himself as a born-again Christian and anti-establishment guru to millions of online followers, swaggered into Southwark Crown Court for weeks, insisting he was innocent. But the jury did not buy it.

After the verdicts, the judge revoked his bail, warning the rape conviction meant “inevitably a significant custodial sentence”. He was cleared of two further rape charges and one of attempted indecent assault.

Brand will be sentenced on Monday. Mr Clatworthy and Restore Britain have been approached for comment.

See more of the stories you love from Daily Express and find us easily in Google by making us a Preferred Source. Free and easy-to-do, just click here to activate or add us as Preferred Source in your Google search settings.