Martina Navratilova reacted to an ‘unnamed woman’ defending Russell Brand after the comedian’s recent sexual assault and rape conviction, calling out the line of argument that just because Brand treated one person kindly his behavior towards other people should follow the same pattern.
Brand, 51, was convicted of one count of rape and three counts of sexual assault against four women. The verdicts were delivered at Southwark Crown Court on Thursday, November 5. The jury cleared him of two other rape counts and one count of attempted indecent assault after more than eight hours of deliberation over two days. Mr Justice Bennathan remanded him in custody until sentencing on Monday, November 9, and told him a “significant custodial term” was inevitable.
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The rape conviction relates to a fan Brand met at a Hammersmith Apollo show in 2009. The three assault convictions involve a woman at a bar in Soho in 2004, a woman at radio station Choice FM in 2004 or 2005, and a Channel 4 employee in 2009.
Navratilova posted her comment on X after Harry Potter author JK Rowling said women who offered their own safe evenings with Brand as proof the verdicts were wrong did not make much sense.
“I don’t want to shame any particular woman here, but publicly announcing that the Russell Brand conviction must be wrong because you went home with him and he didn’t rape you makes about as much sense as saying ‘well, I left 25 Cromwell Street alive, so Fred West’s innocent,” Rowling wrote.
Martina Navratilova added to the claim, saying:
“What an idiotic statement by that unnamed woman. Beyond stupid.”
Police said after the verdicts that two further rape allegations against Brand are under investigation, and that files on them have been sent to the Crown Prosecution Service.
Martina Navratilova’s crusade against trans athletes in women’s sports
Martina Navratilova has campaigned on the issue of trans athletes in women’s sports for years. In an interview with the Telegraph in 2024, the 18-time Grand Slam champion lamented that the stance had cost her, but refused to change her mind.
“I’ve been speaking my mind for a long time. I’m not going to change that. Yes, it’s been pretty rough. But I know I’m on the right side of history.”
She added:
“Women are asked to be kind and be inclusive, yet by including transgender-identified males in women’s sports, you’re excluding women.”
Navratilova has denied being anti-trans and describes herself as a supporter of transgender rights. She has defended Rowling’s views on women’s spaces publicly before, and the two often back each other’s posts on the subject.
Brand will be sentenced at Southwark Crown Court on Monday, November 9.
Edited by Shyam Kamal
