Channel 4 documentary and journalists 'poisoned the well' against Russell Brand, court hears

Referring to the Channel 4 Dispatches documentary, aired in 2023, which made allegations about Brand, Winter reminded jurors that the judge in the trial had directed them that the programme was "very one-sided" and "produced in a dramatic manner".

The barrister said it was "published without a single journalist ever speaking to Mr Brand about it other than to protect their defamation risk... protect their right to reply after the programme had been made".

He later said: "Most importantly, that programme and those allegations in it; Mr Brand is innocent of them.

"So, they poisoned the well in respect of things of which Mr Brand is innocent."