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The 38-year-old star picked up the Oracle of the Year award at the ceremony at the Royal Opera House in central London on Tuesday, but he referred to the history of sponsors Hugo Boss - who formally apologised in 2011 for their maltreatment of 140 Polish and 40 French workers - and their founder, who became a member of the National Socialist Party in Germany in 1931 and supplied uniforms to the Sturmabteilung, Schutzstaffel, Hitler Youth, National Socialist Motor Corps, and other party organisations.
Russell also made light of his accolade and made a jibe at his friend Noel Gallagher, who was sharing a table with him.
He said: "Oracle? That's got to be a made up award so I would turn up. It was also a great source of news when I was growing up, alongside Teletext.
"I would like to thank that pixelated news source and say to Noel, good luck being more offensive than that son!"
More controversy
Rob Brydon also caused controversy at the ceremony by joking Stephen Fry - who is bipolar and attempted to commit suicide last year - cannot be "left alone with vodka and pills".
But Michael Douglas - who has separated from wife Catherine Zeta-Jones - was the big winner of the night, picking up the Legend award, which was presented by Samuel L Jackson.
He told the audience his year had "been something" and acknowledged his accolade, saying it was "a polite way of saying this is my third act".
Former Downton Abbey star Dan Stevens picked up the Most Stylish prize, while Pharrell Williams won the Performer accolade and Noel Gallagher, who criticised British Foreign Secretary William Hague for attending the event with "all the shit going on around the world you should be sorting out", won the Icon award.
Several stars - including soccer pundit Jamie Redknapp, classical singing sensation Natalie Coyle and model Daisy Lowe - attended the after party at the Royal Opera House, where they demolished a fine selection of Remy Martin cocktails.
GQ Men of the Year Awards - Winners:
Hugo Boss Most Stylish
Dan Stevens
Comedians
Simon Pegg, Nick Frost and Edgar Wright
Politician
Boris Johnson
Oracle
Russell Brand
Breakthrough Menswear Designer Brand
Jonathan Saunders
Lifetime Achievement
Sir Bobby Charlton
Radio Personality
Nick Grimshaw
Entrepreneur
Evgeny Lebedev
Chef
Jason Atherton
Sportsman
Carl Froch
Writer
Charles Moore
Woman
Emma Watson
Editor's Choice Award
Roger Daltrey (Dylan Jones)
The Serpentine Gallery GQ Art Award
Tracey Emin
Band
Arctic Monkeys
Remy Martin Breakthrough
Eddie Redmayne
TV Personality
Piers Morgan
Performer
Pharrell Williams
Inspiration
Lou Reed
Icon
Noel Gallagher
Designer
Tom Ford
Genius
Sir Elton John
Legend
Michael Douglas
