Reporter's question on rent sparks angry reply from Russell Brand

 
Angry: Russell Brand being interviewed by Paraic O’Brien (Picture: YouTube)
Rachel Blundy2 December 2014

A reporter sparked an abrupt response from comedian Russell Brand when he asked him how much he pays in rent at a protest on the issue at Downing Street.

The Essex born comedian, 39, was being interviewed at the New Era Estate protest outside 10 Downing Street by Channel 4's Paraic O’Brien when he was asked how much he paid for his home in the capital.

After replying that it was rented, he was pressed to give a precise figure for how much he pays to live there, but refused.

He replied: "I'm not interested in talking to you about my rent, mate. I'm here to support a very, very important campaign and you as a member of the media have an important duty to represent these people - not to reframe the argument in a ridiculous way."

He then pulled a fellow protester into the camera shot who went on to defend him.

Residents at the New Era Estate in Hoxton fear they could be forced out of their homes as a US property company looks to buy them and increase rents.

The estate was built in the 1930s by the Lever family as a philanthropic venture to provide affordable homes to local workers.

Brand later commented on the media furore over his remarks in his YouTube series The Trews.

He said: "I do overreact. I'm a bit of a heart on my sleeve type of person because for me it's an emotional thing.

"Like I said on Paxman, for me it's a real thing that reminds me of my own life and my own obligations. Because I do really genuinely care about the New Era estate. I care about the broader issue but on that I care on a personal level."

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