Ian McNabb: Clitheroe tickets remain on sale as singer says Russell Brand was "stitched up"

The Icicle Works’ Ian McNabb has claimed that all of his future shows have been axed after he defended convicted sexual predator Russell Brand - though tickets remain on sale in Lancashire.

The Liverpool-born singer, 66, saw the band reach the UK Top 20 in 1983, and has since gone on to perform alongside Ringo Starr and Neil Young.

He had been due to kick off a solo tour this month, but announced in a Facebook post today that all of his upcoming shows had been cancelled.

It followed a social media post he made last week, where he said Brand had been “stitched up”, and that his victims “knew what they were getting into”.

The comedian was sentenced to more than a decade in prison yesterday after being found guilty of three counts of sexual assault and one count of rape.

Southwark Crown Court heard from four women who had been left feeling “traumatised”, “humiliated”, and “vulnerable” after being targeted by Brand, with police now investigating more ‘potential criminal allegations’ against the comedian.

In court, the judge described him as a “sexual predator” with a “staggering degree of arrogance” as he handed down a sentence of ten years and six months.

Last week, McNabb used both personal and official Icicle Works social media channels to speak out in support of Brand, despite mounting evidence of his crimes.

He said: “Russell Brand is being stitched up for his outspoken views. He got close to the target and he has a big audience.

“I know people who were in his orbit and girls were throwing themselves at him every night. If that happened to me I know what I would do.

“Yer pays yer money yer takes yer chance. If you want to hang out with the artist don’t cry when you’re in the picture.

“All these chicks who turn up at these situations know exactly what’s going on. The ones who decided they were done badly to – ten years after the event – are the worst.”

The post has now been deleted following backlash online, though in a second post made today, McNabb said he condemned predatory treatment of women - but that he still felt Brand had been “treated unfairly”.

He also implied that Brand’s conviction was because he had turned against the so-called ‘Epstein class’ - a term referring to “a small group of wealthy, politically connected, and influential people operate above the law, receive preferential treatment, and evade accountability because of their power and status”, according to the Me Too Movement website.

“It is with a heavy heart and deep sadness and regret I make this post,” he said.

“I have been CANCELLED and therefore all of my shows for the forseeable [sic] future have also.

“This is as a result of a post I made regarding the plight of British comedian/entertainer Russell Brand. I never liked Brand if I'm honest, but some of the things he said caught my ear. In this post from around one week ago (since deleted ~ through thought-out self-analysis) which has been shared widely through screenshots, I condemned the treatment of Brand, who I feel has been railroaded and treated unfairly. I do not support the actions of the man, both you and I know ~ he behaved wrongly in many situations, but I feel the story goes deeper.

“In no way did I mean to cause offence to those who have been abused sexually either recently or in past times, however long ago.

“I have committed no crime to my knowledge, but understand the upset I have caused.

“Many of you will know I am aligned with a few of the subjects Brand railed against and agreed with him on *some* things including Big Pharma and the Military Industrial Complex.

“When he turned on the Epstein Class his fate was sealed.

“I fail to understand how many who have committed worse offences continue to roam free without consequence.

“I condemn the treatment of women for sexual pleasure that is not consensual, I condemn the predatory nature of males who do so.

“Sorry to those who have bought tickets and feel let down, I now enter a period of self-reflection and contemplation.

“I hope to see you again in the coming years, as I know I haven't long to do this, I am grateful for the support over the years from loyal fans.”

All of McNabb’s scheduled performances in Scotland and Newcastle have now been cancelled, with one PR company saying they “simply can’t work with him going forward” due to his “disgraceful” social media comments.

But it is unknown whether the cancellations will affect McNabb’s visit to Lancashire next year.

On May 29 and May 30 next year, McNabb was scheduled to visit Clitheroe to perform at the The Grand theatre.

Tickets remain on sale at the time of publication, with venue staff telling the Post they were unaware of any decisions being made at this time.