Comedian Jo Brand has apologised for making a joke about throwing battery acid over politicians.
Her remarks on the BBC Radio 4 programme Heresy on Tuesday night led to public criticism, including from Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage, and multiple complaints being made to broadcasting watchdog Ofcom.
On Thursday, the Metropolitan Police said they were assessing Brand’s comment following an allegation of incitement to violence.
READ MORE: Jo Brand praised for comments on sexual harassment on Have I Got News For You
Appearing at an event in Henley, Oxfordshire, on the same day, the comedian apologised for making a “crass and ill-judged” joke.
But she reportedly told the audience she did not think that she had made a “mistake”, adding that she had not mentioned Mr Farage.
Nigel Farage accused Jo Brand of inciting violence following comments she made during a BBC Radio 4 show (PA)
On Wednesday, the Brexit Party leader, who had a milkshake thrown at him while campaigning in Newcastle, accused Brand of inciting violence, although he did not say who against.
Commenting again on Twitter, he said: “I am sick to death of overpaid, left-wing, so-called comedians on the BBC who think their view is morally superior.
“Can you imagine the reaction if I had said the same thing as Jo Brand?”
I am sick to death of overpaid, left wing, so-called comedians on the BBC who think their view is morally superior. Can you imagine the reaction if I had said the same thing as Jo Brand? pic.twitter.com/hCEFSCqMGI
— Nigel Farage (@Nigel_Farage) June 13, 2019
It is understood that the allegation reported to the police was not made by Mr Farage or the Brexit Party.
Ofcom said it has received 65 complaints about the episode of Heresy.
READ MORE: Nigel Farage hit by milkshake during campaign walkabout
A statement from Scotland Yard said on Thursday: “Police have received an allegation of incitement to violence that was reported to the MPS on 13 June.
“The allegation relates to comments made on a radio programme. The allegation is currently being assessed.
“There have been no arrests and inquiries are ongoing.”
A spokesman for Prime Minister Theresa May called on the BBC to explain why it broadcast Brand’s comments, saying that “violence and intimidation should not be normalised”.
The BBC said it regretted any offence caused by the radio programme, which was never intended “to encourage or condone violence”.
The corporation said comedy would “always push boundaries”, but added that it would edit the Heresy programme, which is hosted by Victoria Coren Mitchell.
In reply to a question about the state of UK politics, Brand had told the programme: “Well, yes, I would say that but that’s because 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. I’m not going to do it, it’s purely a fantasy, but I think milkshakes are pathetic, I honestly do, sorry.”
Why are you making commenting on The Herald only available to subscribers?
It should have been a safe space for informed debate, somewhere for readers to discuss issues around the biggest stories of the day, but all too often the below the line comments on most websites have become bogged down by off-topic discussions and abuse.
heraldscotland.com is tackling this problem by allowing only subscribers to comment.
We are doing this to improve the experience for our loyal readers and we believe it will reduce the ability of trolls and troublemakers, who occasionally find their way onto our site, to abuse our journalists and readers. We also hope it will help the comments section fulfil its promise as a part of Scotland's conversation with itself.
We are lucky at The Herald. We are read by an informed, educated readership who can add their knowledge and insights to our stories.
That is invaluable.
We are making the subscriber-only change to support our valued readers, who tell us they don't want the site cluttered up with irrelevant comments, untruths and abuse.
In the past, the journalist’s job was to collect and distribute information to the audience. Technology means that readers can shape a discussion. We look forward to hearing from you on heraldscotland.com
Comments & Moderation
Readers’ comments: You are personally liable for the content of any comments you upload to this website, so please act responsibly. We do not pre-moderate or monitor readers’ comments appearing on our websites, but we do post-moderate in response to complaints we receive or otherwise when a potential problem comes to our attention. You can make a complaint by using the ‘report this post’ link . We may then apply our discretion under the user terms to amend or delete comments.
Post moderation is undertaken full-time 9am-6pm on weekdays, and on a part-time basis outwith those hours.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel