Jo Brand’s controversial battery acid joke ‘went too far’, rules BBC
Comedian’s remark ‘went beyond what was appropriate for the show’, found the corporation's Executive Complaints Unit
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The BBC has ruled that Jo Brand’s controversial joke about throwing battery acid at politicians “went beyond what was appropriate” for a Radio 4 comedy programme.
Brand made the joke on Radio 4’s Heresy in June, referring to political figures who had been hit by milkshakes, saying: “I’m thinking, why bother with a milkshake when you could get some battery acid?”
After the quip was broadcast, Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage, who had a milkshake thrown at him by protesters, accused Brand of “inciting violence”.
The BBC’s Executive Complaints Unit [ECU] disagreed that Brand was inciting violence, but concluded that her joke went too far.
“Whilst the ECU recognised that the wider message from this episode is an argument for more civility in political discourse, not less, and Ms Brand’s contribution is not intended to be taken as face value, the ECU felt that it went beyond what was appropriate for the show,” a summary of the findings stated.
“So it was partially upheld against generally accepted standards of BBC output. The ECU also noted that in the right context and with the right treatment, there is no subject matter which should be beyond the scope of comedy.”
In the radio show, after joking about the battery acid, Brand continued: “I’m not going to do it, it’s purely a fantasy. But I think milkshakes are pathetic.”
Brand later confessed that it was “a somewhat crass and ill-judged joke”.
Following the complaints unit’s ruling, a BBC spokesperson said: “We note the findings and that the BBC’s ECU concluded the comments did not condone violence and that no subject matter should be beyond the scope of comedy.”
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments