COMEDIAN Jo Brand is at the centre of a media frenzy today after joking about 'Acid Attacks' on right-wing politicians and will now be investigated by Police.
After being questioned about politics on Radio 4's Heresy show, Brand, 61 said: "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."
The controversial comments grew a mixed response, with those on the right angry with Brands comments.
Nigel Farage compared the comments to 'inciting violence'.
Prime Minister Theresa May has also weighed in on the row and asked the BBC why Brand's comments were allowed to be aired.
A Number Ten spokesman said: "The prime minister has consistently said politicians should be able to campaign without harassment, intimidation and abuse."
"It is for the BBC to explain why it was appropriate content to broadcast."
The BBC however, has defended Brand and said panellists on the Radio 4 show are often "deliberately provocative" but "not intended to be taken seriously".
THEN WHY SACK BAKER?
Many responded to the BBC's statement about Brand by comparing her to former BBC Radio host Danny Baker who was sacked in May following his infamous joke about a monkey and Britain's first mixed-race Royal Baby.
Piers Morgan tweeted: "Why did the BBC instantly sack Danny Baker for an offensive royal baby tweet but won’t sack Jo Brand for saying she’d like acid to be thrown at politicians?"
https://twitter.com/piersmorgan/status/1139063555737755648
- piersmorgan
Another user blasted the BBC and Brand and said: "I shall be cancelling my DirectDebit for my TV license today. Jo Brand is the last straw if I continue to fund the BBC then I will be aiding and abetting a crime under Part 2 of the Serious Crime Act 2007 sections 44 to 46. "
https://twitter.com/LawrenceJWebb/status/1139091064348958720
- LawrenceJWebb
SUPPORT FOR FREE SPEECH
Others have claimed that Brands joke was simply 'comedy' and even those on the right have backed the comedian on free speech grounds.
Katie Hopkins said: "Three facts: 1) Jo Brand made a stupid joke. 2) if I made the same joke I would be in prison by lunch time 3) calling for #JoBrand to be investigated or fired does not move us forwards."
https://twitter.com/KTHopkins/status/1139110996986011648
- KTHopkins
"We have to relearn the art of ACCEPTING offence; given, taken, real or perceived." added Hopkins.
Brexiteer Daniel Hannon tweeted: "Yes, Jo Brand's "battery acid" remark was clumsy and unfunny."
https://twitter.com/DanielJHannan/status/1139087334517936128
- DanielJHannan
"Yes, a Eurosceptic who made such comments would be hounded from public life."
"Yes, the double standard stinks. But incitement? Come off it. No one is going to be inspired to physical violence by a bad joke on Radio 4."
Posted from TR.News with SteemPress : https://www.tr.news/bad-brand-of-comedy-police-launch-investigation-over-jo-brand-acid-attack-joke/