Ed Miliband meets Russell Brand at his home to be interviewed for comic's YouTube show The Trews

Labour leader photographed visiting comedian who tells young people not to vote
Meeting: Ed Miliband, circled, pictured leaving the home of Russell Brand

Ed Miliband was caught in a celebrity storm today after being interviewed by Russell Brand who has urged people not to vote.

The Labour leader was photographed visiting Brand’s London home last night to do an interview for his YouTube channel Trews.

His aides stressed he was seeking to reach out to hundreds of thousands of young people who follow foul-mouthed comedian Brand.

But Conservatives swiftly challenged his judgement, given Brand’s stance against taking part in Britain’s democratic system, and the visit sparked controversy on Twitter.

Senior Tory Bob Neill said: “Brand is wrong to say ‘don’t vote’ and Miliband is wrong to be courting him. It’s bizarre behaviour.

“That can only be explained by the fact that he is desperate to do a deal with anyone to get into Downing Street. One day it’s Nicola Sturgeon, the other day it’s Russell Brand - what next?”

While Lee Scott, who is seeking re-election as MP for Ilford North, added: “If somebody says people should not vote and is then meeting with the Labour leader, it’s a strange turn of events.”

Mr Miliband’s decision seemed all the more surprising given the high-profile bust-up between Brand and Ed Balls.

The shadow Chancellor dismissed Brand in January as a “pound-shop Ben Elton” after the actor, radio host and self-styled revolutionary called him a “clicky-wristed snidey c***” during a television quiz show.

Brand has also attacked politicians as untrustworthy and stressed he does not vote, previously telling the BBC: “Don’t bother voting. Stop voting, stop pretending, wake up, be in reality now. Why vote? We know it’s not going to make any difference.”

But Mr Miliband’s aides defended the interview for Trews which has more than a million viewers.

A senior source said: “We believe people must engage in politics and want people to engage in politics.

“Politics is too important to be left to politicians and all people in this country, both young and old, should get involved and vote. The job of politicians is to convince people to take part.”

A photo of Mr Miliband leaving Brand’s east London warehouse home last night went viral on Twitter and opinions were split on whether the Labour leader should have met him.

‏@GrantLewis1 tweeted: “Miliband spends all that time making himself look credible. And then he meets Russell Brand...”

@punkscience messaged: “Wow. And I thought I couldn’t despise Russell Brand any more than I currently do.”

While Jim ‏@peytonjim said: “Would that surprise anyone? Vomit inducing Brand and Miliband.”

But ‏@marleybennett voiced: “If Ed Miliband has actually gone to Russell Brand’s house to seek his endorsement and it wins us votes then I’m not gonna criticise.”

Mr Miliband was caught on camera getting into the back of a black BMW, accompanied by four bodyguards and an assistant, at 9.15pm yesterday by a neighbour who lives near Brand’s distinctive £2million property in a cobbled Shoreditch backstreet.

The man, who asked not to be named, told the Standard: “I got home shortly before eight and there was a nice car and bodyguards in the road which caught my interest. At some point Miliband came out and left the flat.

“They must have been filming something as they were bringing out cameras and lights. They took a long time wrapping up and then they left at about 9.30pm. I don’t know what they were talking about or what they filmed.”

Describing the move as his “secret, election-winning weapon”, writer Toby Young wrote on Twitter: “Looks like @Ed_Milibad was at @RustyRocket’s house to be iv-ed by the great sage for his YouTube channel.”

Elisa Solaris tweeted: “A friend of mine lives opposite Russell Brand and snapped this picture of Ed Milliband leaving his house...erm.”

The campaigning comedian recently admitted that he liked Mr Miliband and said the politician had been “bullied” because he doesn’t “come across as normal”.

He said: “You know they use that word wonk to describe people that use political language, he’s sort of wonky but he’s wonky in loads of ways, it’s like he embodies wonkiness.”

Russell Brand’s management could not be reached for comment.

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