By Emma Crossan

On 9th November, former comedian Russell Brand was convicted of rape and sentenced to 10 and a half years in prison.

However, despite Brand being found guilty beyond reasonable doubt, the verdict has received a disturbingly mixed reaction.

Shortly before the allegations of rape and sexual assault came to light, Brand had gained a new fanbase in the far-right, with his new-found Christianity and right-leaning opinions – such as criticising the global COVID-19 pandemic.

However, this is a stark contrast to his initial left-leaning, anti-religion stance he had taken for years beforehand.

Many had come to criticise Brand’s tendency to chop and change his opinions – such as his anti-voting stance changing to encouraging people to vote Labour, and him going from being a passionate vegan to a self-proclaimed carnivore.

Due to this, it appeared as though Brand – who always presented himself as being a strongly opinionated person – doesn’t really hold any specific stand – just whichever stance suits him at the time.

Therefore, it doesn’t seem to be a coincidence that his stance changed from left to right so drastically so soon before the allegations against him came out.

While many have celebrated Brand’s conviction, people who share Brand’s new right-leaning opinions and stance on religion have taken to social media to defend him – with many claiming that Brand is the victim of a stitch up as punishment for speaking out against the government.

Facebook user, Leanne Hicks, said: “Russell Brand has spent years questioning the establishment, calling out the media and challenging the people who think they’re untouchable.

“Now he’s in prison. Meanwhile, the Epstein files are still raising questions about some very powerful people.

“Call me cynical, but I can’t help wondering whether Russell became a convenient target.

“Funny how the people who challenge the system end up becoming the story, while the people we really want answers about seem to keep dodging the spotlight. Something doesn’t add up.”

The main consensus appears to be that Brand being convicted is a conspiracy in response to him speaking out against the government. However, considering that Brand has changed his opinions so much over the years, this doesn’t seem feasible.

Many are countering the far-rights argument by pointing out that Brand switched to having right-leaning opinions and converted to Christianity very soon before the accusations were exposed – implying that he knew this was coming and that the change in opinions was intentional.

Facebook user, Sammael Mose said: “He started questioning the establishment when it became clear to him that the establishment’s laws would catch up to him, and at the exact same time he ‘found Christ’.

“It was a pre-emptive measure so he could delegitimize the accusations already against him when they amounted to an un-ignorable situation, to play the persecution card.”

Russell Brand Convicted of Rape – And People are Still Defending Him