Ed Balls reveals Ed Miliband ignored his warnings against meeting with 'weird' Russell Brand in his bid to become PM at 2015 general election

ملخص مفصل

The former Labour shadow chancellor said he questioned Mr Miliband's decision to sit down with the now-disgraced comedian as he tried to become prime minister.

Published: 17:50 GMT, 12 November 2026 | Updated: 18:11 GMT, 12 November 2026

Ed Balls has revealed how Ed Miliband ignored his warnings against meeting with 'weird' Russell Brand during the 2015 general election campaign.

The former Labour shadow chancellor said he questioned Mr Miliband's decision to sit down with the now-disgraced comedian as he tried to become prime minister.

Mr Miliband, now the Foreign Secretary, recorded an interview in Brand's flat in the final fortnight of the 2015 general election campaign in his bid for Labour votes.

The then-Labour leader appeared on Brand's online show The Trews as he tried to win over younger Britons in his ultimately doomed attempt to lead the country.

Mr Miliband has faced fresh criticism over his 'cosying up' to Brand in the wake of the 51-year-old's conviction for rape and sexual assault.

After Brand was this week jailed for 10-and-a-half years for his attacks against four women, Mr Miliband said he 'deeply regrets' the 2015 interview.

And Mr Balls has now set out how he advised Mr Miliband's team against the 'ridiculous' campaign stunt when the two men were at the head of Labour.

Ed Balls has revealed how Ed Miliband ignored his warnings against meeting with 'weird' Russell Brand during the 2015 general election campaign.

مطلع المقال، مقتطف من Daily Mail. لقراءة المقال كاملًا، افتحه على موقع الناشر.