Restore Britain councillor Owain Clatworthy urged Russell Brand to “stay strong” after his conviction for rape and three sexual assaults, calling the prosecution a “witch hunt” designed to silence him for challenging the establishment and becoming a Christian.
Clatworthy’s post appeared on Thursday, November 5, after the guilty verdicts. Three political group leaders on Bridgend County Borough Council condemned the comments on November 6. Brand was subsequently sentenced on Monday to 10 years and six months in prison.
How can anyone trust this corrupt TWO-TIER British justice system?
Russell Brand was just found guilty after years of media attacks and a full on witch hunt. Funny how the real pressure only kicked off once he questioned the elites, rejected the COVID narrative, and publicly…
— Cllr Owain Clatworthy (@OwainClatworthy) November 5, 2026
“How can anyone trust this corrupt TWO-TIER British justice system?” wrote Clatworthy, who represents Pyle, Kenfig Hill and Cefn Cribwr. He claimed “the real pressure only kicked off once he questioned the elites, rejected the COVID narrative, and publicly found Jesus as his Lord and Savior.”
He accused Brand’s pursuers of turning old allegations into “a show trial to silence a man who got off the establishment script and started speaking truth.” His post ended: “Stay strong, Russell.”
In a second post later that evening, according to LBC, Clatworthy claimed that if Brand “had been a Muslim or an illegal migrant invader,” those demanding punishment would instead be calling the charges “Islamophobic” and demanding the case be dropped.
Council leader John Spanswick, a Labour councillor, Bridgend County Independents leader Amanda Williams, and Democratic Alliance leader Ross Penhale-Thomas jointly rejected the comments. Their statement, published by Wales Online, said they stood “firmly with victims and survivors of sexual abuse” and reaffirmed their respect for “the judicial process and the rule of law.”
The statement acknowledged elected members’ right to express their views, but said Clatworthy’s comments did not represent the council’s views or values. It also said complaints had been received and complainants would be directed to the appropriate process, because the council itself lacked authority to investigate them.
Independent councillor Alex Williams separately called for Clatworthy to resign. BBC Wales quoted him describing the support for Brand as “hypocritical” from someone who claimed to support policies protecting women and girls. Williams said Clatworthy should resign or face rejection by voters next May.
