Jo Brand caused outrage last year with comments that seemed to incite throwing battery acid over politicians. At the time, Nigel Farage told Guido that “This is incitement of violence and the police need to act”, whilst Theresa May called on the BBC to “explain why it considers this to have been appropriate content for broadcast.” Now after seven months of ‘investigation’, nothing will be done.
Today Ofcom has said although Brand’s comments “had clear potential to offend listeners”, the regulator justified them by referencing “the audience’s likely expectations of Jo Brand’s style – and of this established show, which sets out to challenge accepted views in society through provocative comedy.” When asked for comment by Guido, Nigel said “typical”…
The Prime Minister has called on the BBC to explain why it considered Jo Brand’s comments on throwing acid over politicians “appropriate content for broadcast.” The show was pre-recorded, editors took the decision to broadcast the segment. A Number 10 spokesman followed up today after the story was broken by Guido yesterday:
“The prime minister has been repeatedly clear that politicians should be able to go about their work and campaign without harassment, intimidation or abuse… It is for the BBC to explain why it considers this to have been appropriate content for broadcast.”
Brand was silent today as she was asked by journalists if she stands by her comments. It’s fair to say that if they had been made by a figure on the right there would have been immediate action. Taxpayers are paying £177 million a year for the BBC’s “entertainment and comedy” output. There’s clearly a double standard when it comes to well-paid leftie comedians…
Last night on Radio 4 (where else?) leftie luvvie Jo Brand fantasised about throwing acid over politicians she doesn’t like. Making the kind of joke that leaves a bad taste, she told Victoria Coren Mitchell “why bother with a milkshake when you could get some battery acid?” It’s okay because Jo is left wing so she’s really compassionate…
“Certain unpleasant characters are being thrown to the fore, and they’re very, very easy to hate, and I’m kind of thinking, why bother with a milkshake when you could get some battery acid?
That’s just me, sorry, I’m not gonna do it, it’s purely a fantasy, but I think milk shakes are pathetic, I honestly do. Sorry.”
She’s not the first to promote an acid attack. Nigel Farage tells Guido: “This is incitement of violence and the police need to act.”
