GB News presenter Bev Turner has been slammed for comments she made in 2023 calling convicted rapist Russell Brand a “hero.”
This week, Brand was found guilty of one count of rape and three counts of sexual assault following a four-week trial at Southwark Crown Court.
His sentencing will take place on Monday, with the judge having already told Brand he can expect a significant custodial sentence.
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Back in 2023, when the allegations against Brand were first revealed in a joint investigation by The Times, The Sunday Times and Channel 4’s Dispatches, GB News’ Turner leapt to the defence of the comedian.
In a post on X at the time, Turner said that Brand was being “attacked” by “establishment media” and encouraged him to keep going with his YouTube channel which often rails against these outlets, hailing him “a hero”.
Following her post, Turner was involved in a heated exchange on GB News with her co-host Andrew Pierce, who branded her comments “shameful.”
In the exchange, Turner claimed she had “spoken to several sources close to Brand, close to The Times” and was “confident that there is no smoking gun in this regard.”
Turner was roundly condemned at the time for her shocking comments, which she defended in an article at the time as well.
Following Brand’s conviction on Thursday, Turner reshared the article she had written in 2023.
This has drawn condemnation from many, including television and radio presenter Richard Bacon, who said Turner was “absolutely moronic and sociopathic.”
He continued: “Idiotic. Pitiful. Irresponsible. Disrespectful. I had a debate with her at a friend’s party a couple of years ago where I told her about my friend’s firsthand experience with Russell.
“And she dismissed it and said there’s no evidence – that he’s not being convicted of anything and it’s a witch hunt. And now he has been convicted, apparently it’s still a witch hunt.”
Plenty of others have since slammed Turner for her comments, making sure that her disgraceful comments are not forgotten.
Speaking after the verdict was delivered on Thursday, judge Mr Justice Bennathan told Brand that he should expect a “significant custodial sentence,” the BBC reports.
“You’ve been convicted of a number of offences including rape,” the judge said. “The consequence of that is inevitably a significant custodial term.”
Brand has been remanded in custody, with sentencing scheduled to take place on Monday, 9 November.
Following his conviction, it could be reported that Brand is being investigated over further rape allegations made by two women.
He has already been questioned by officers in relation to the accusations.
The Metropolitan Police said its investigation “remains ongoing.”