The Guardian piece is carefully constructed to link Brand to 'conspiracy theories', which is seen as form of dangerous heresy. At the same time the Guardian has conspiracy theories of their own regarding Brand's brand itself, only the Guardian gets to define what conspiracies theories have credence or not.

Why didn't the women involved go to the police with their stories, (or, as the Guardian prefers, their testimony) when they supposedly happened? Did the women receive any 'compensation' from the Times for their stories? Was Brand contacted in advance and allowed to tell things from his perspective? That seems to be normal journalistic procedure with controversial stories.