@neil I understand the intended meaning, and of course agree with it. But would you say this is a fair quote?

'Lawyer Neil Brown, writing in the aftermath of the Russell Brand verdict, opined "It doesn't matter that you are in the midst of something consensual and they changed their mind."'

Most people would say that conveys the opposite meaning to the one intended.

Replace "and" by "if" and the intended meaning carries over correctly.

I will shut up now.