Thursday, June 5, 2014 4:53pm ET by  
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Russell Brand defends Justin Bieber amid racist videos scandal: 'Just let him off, he's a child'

British comedian Russell Brand has spoken out in defence of Justin Bieber after videos surfaced of the Canadian sensation making deeply offensive and racist remarks earlier this week. 

In his YouTube show 'The Trews', Brand explains that the 'As Long As You Love Me' heartthrob is just a kid and should be let off instead of publicly condemned for making a couple of very irresponsible videos years ago: "It was ages ago when he used to have that haircut. You can't do him for stuff he [has] done when he had that haircut."

"Unless we're going to explicitly say the role of celebrities is we're going to make them really, really famous and then we're going to destroy them and rip them up in a public square with fish hooks, which, you know as long as you don't get round to me, I'm not against.

"But we might as well own up to it if that is what we're up to, otherwise just let him off. Of course it’s wrong to say the 'N-word', but he’s a child."

Bieber's mentor Usher also addressed the videos in an interview with Nylon magazine and described the incidents as 'unfortunate': "It's unfortunate. I hate some of the things I hear. Is it all true? I don't know. But I will tell you this: success comes with a price. Every person that has grown up, grows up with something. It ain't (sic) just perfect from the beginning."

Watch the videos in question below: