The Trial of Russell Brand

From provocative stand-up comedian to Hollywood leading man, Russell Brand will stand trial next month on seven charges of rape, sexual assault and indecent assault. He has pleaded not guilty to each. Every day throughout the trial, Luke Jones will be joined by Rosamund Urwin and Charlotte Wace, to dissect the evidence and discuss where the case might go next.

Before the trial begins on Monday 12 October, we look back on Russell Brand’s career, and the allegations against him.

New episodes daily from October 12th. 

Host: Luke Jones, with Rosamund Urwin, Chief News Correspondent for The Sunday Times and Charlotte Wace, Investigations Correspondent for The Times.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. To enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism subscribe here.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On Monday 12th of October, Russell Brand will stand trial in London’s Southwark Crown Court on seven charges of rape, sexual assault and indecent assault, relating to six women between 1999 and 2009.

He has pleaded not guilty to each charge.

We'll be bringing you daily updates throughout the trial.

There will be no cameras inside the courtroom, no microphones, nor rolling news feed. Instead, we will be there. Every day throughout the trial, Luke Jones will be joined by The Sunday Times Chief News Correspondent Rosamund Urwin, and The Times Investigations Correspondent Charlotte Wace, to dissect the evidence, unpack what the jury heard and explain where the case might go next.

New episodes daily from October 12th. 

Hosts: Luke Jones, with Rosamund Urwin, Chief News Correspondent for The Sunday Times and Charlotte Wace, Investigations Correspondent for The Times.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. To enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism subscribe here.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As Nigel Farage returns to Parliament with a parliamentary standards investigation hanging over his head, The Sunday Times Insight team are back with the latest developments since the original series was released.

What is a sitting US federal judge doing at George’s penthouse? 

Separately, there are more questions for Posh George, Nigel Farage and Reform UK over their finances and relationship.

Both George Cottrell and Nigel Farage deny any wrongdoing.

Host: Gabriel Pogrund, editor of Insight at The Sunday Times

Read more: Revealed - Nigel Farage secretly funded by convicted criminal by Gabriel Pogrund, Venetia Menzies, Emanuele Midolo & George Greenwood

Watch: Everything you need to know about the aristocrat funding Nigel Farage

Get in touch:

Call or WhatsApp The Sunday Times’s Insight team: 020 7782 5959

For any tips on this series: [email protected]

If you have a story for us: [email protected]

This podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. To enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism subscribe here.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nigel Farage realises one of his lifelong ambitions, as he becomes an MP, with the help of Posh George.  

This leads to questions over George’s financial support for his ally. Did it breach parliamentary rules? 

And, the Insight team tries to make sense of Posh George and Farage’s ten-plus year friendship after the fallout from their reporting. 

Both George Cottrell and Nigel Farage deny any wrongdoing.

Host: Gabriel Pogrund, editor of Insight at The Sunday Times

Read more: Revealed - Nigel Farage secretly funded by convicted criminal by Gabriel Pogrund, Venetia Menzies, Emanuele Midolo & George Greenwood

Police investigate Reform donations by mother of fraudster who bankrolled Farage by Gabriel Pogrund, Venetia Menzies, Emanuele Midolo & George Greenwood

Watch: Everything you need to know about the aristocrat funding Nigel Farage

Get in touch - 

Call or WhatsApp The Sunday Times’s Insight team: 020 7782 5959

For any tips on this series: [email protected]

If you have a story for us: [email protected]

This podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. To enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism subscribe here.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In 2023 Posh George is accused of wading into Montenegro elections after police seize a crypto ATM.  

As negative headlines in the Balkans pile up, Farage, back on the campaign trail in the UK, is once again facing questions over his friend’s alleged behaviour. 

Both George Cottrell and Nigel Farage deny any wrongdoing.

Host: Gabriel Pogrund, editor of Insight at The Sunday Times

Read more: Revealed - Nigel Farage secretly funded by convicted criminal by Gabriel Pogrund, Venetia Menzies, Emanuele Midolo & George Greenwood

George Cottrell failed to declare gifts to Reform office by Gabriel Pogrund, Venetia Menzies, Emanuele Midolo & George Greenwood

Watch: Everything you need to know about the aristocrat funding Nigel Farage

Get in touch:

Call or WhatsApp The Sunday Times’s Insight team: 020 7782 5959

For any tips on this series: [email protected]

If you have a story for us: [email protected]

This podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. To enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism subscribe here.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Back home after 8 months in a US prison, Posh George attends a rally where the controversial, far-right provocateur Tommy Robinson is speaking - and starts dating a Made in Chelsea star.

Having already made and lost at least one fortune, George moves to the crypto paradise of Montenegro.

Both George Cottrell and Nigel Farage deny any wrongdoing.

Host: Gabriel Pogrund, editor of Insight at The Sunday Times

Read more: Revealed - Nigel Farage secretly funded by convicted criminal by Gabriel Pogrund, Venetia Menzies, Emanuele Midolo & George Greenwood

Nigel Farage’s secret donor pictured with Tommy Robinson at rally by Gabriel Pogrund, Venetia Menzies, Emanuele Midolo & George Greenwood

Watch: Everything you need to know about the aristocrat funding Nigel Farage

Get in touch:

Call or WhatsApp The Sunday Times’s Insight team: 020 7782 5959

For any tips on this series: [email protected]

If you have a story for us: [email protected]

This podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. To enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism subscribe here.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It’s July 2016 and Nigel Farage is riding high on a Brexit wave when his young aide, Posh George is arrested following a sting by US federal agents. 

He’s accused of running a money laundering scheme over the dark web. Can the young financier escape a jail term and rebuild his gilded life?

Both George Cottrell and Nigel Farage deny any wrongdoing.

Host: Gabriel Pogrund, editor of Insight at The Sunday Times

Read more: Revealed - Nigel Farage secretly funded by convicted criminal by Gabriel Pogrund, Venetia Menzies, Emanuele Midolo & George Greenwood

Nigel Farage’s crypto-gambler ally used Reform UK business cards by Gabriel Pogrund, Venetia Menzies, Emanuele Midolo & George Greenwood

Watch: Everything you need to know about the aristocrat funding Nigel Farage

Get in touch:

Call or WhatsApp The Sunday Times’s Insight team: 020 7782 5959

For any tips on this series: [email protected]

If you have a story for us: [email protected]

This podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. To enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism subscribe here.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Who is George Swinfen Cottrell, aka Posh George? Booted out of his expensive boarding school after gambling in 2010, he comes of age in London’s Mayfair district, learning the tricks of his trade in international finance, private banking, and offshore structures. 

George is soon drawn into the orbit of UKIP leader, Nigel Farage. 

Both George Cottrell and Nigel Farage deny any wrongdoing.

Host: Gabriel Pogrund, editor of Insight at The Sunday Times

Read more: Revealed - Nigel Farage secretly funded by convicted criminal by Gabriel Pogrund, Venetia Menzies, Emanuele Midolo & George Greenwood

Watch: Everything you need to know about the aristocrat funding Nigel Farage

Get in touch:

Call or WhatsApp The Sunday Times’s Insight team: 020 7782 5959

For any tips on this series: [email protected]

If you have a story for us: [email protected]

This podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. To enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism subscribe here.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A baby-faced British aristocrat called George Cottrell faces arrest in the US, just weeks after he and his boss, Nigel Farage, reach the summit of their careers to date - the Brexit vote.

A decade later ‘Posh George' is still the Reform leader's right-hand man. 

This groundbreaking series from The Sunday Times’s Insight team investigates how the politician who could hold the keys to Number 10 came to depend upon a crypto enthusiast, gambler and fraudster.  

Both George Cottrell and Nigel Farage deny any wrongdoing.

Begins today, 4th July. New episodes drop every Monday and Thursday.

Host: Gabriel Pogrund, editor of Insight at The Sunday Times.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. To enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism subscribe here.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On Friday 6th June, 2026, 52-year-old Paul Quinn received a 21-year prison sentence at Manchester Crown Court. Quinn will be eligible for parole after 14 years. 

Emily was in court to watch the proceedings.

Host: Emily Dugan, special correspondent at The Sunday Times.

Further reading: Police who got Andrew Malkinson jailed face criminal investigation

Contact Emily: [email protected]

If you, or someone you know, has been affected by the issues raised in this episode, the following organisations can help:

Rape Crisis England & Wales

NHS - Help after rape and sexual assault

Criminal Cases Review Commission

Appeal - Charity and law practice

Anyone with information can contact Greater Manchester Police on 101, or report via their website www.gmp.police.uk, quoting Operation Canopy. 

You can also anonymously call the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. To enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism subscribe here.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.