Jo Brand has sparked anger after fantasising about throwing acid over politicians she doesn’t like.
Speaking to Victoria Coren Mitchell on Radio 4 panel show Heresy on Tuesday night, the comedian was asked to if we as a nation are “absolutely united in feeling we are living through a terrible time” in terms of the divisions being stoked over Brexit .
Brand, 61, responded by saying: “I would say that but that is because certain unpleasant characters are being thrown to the fore. And they are very very easy to hate. I am 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 milkshakes are pathetic, I honestly do. Sorry.”
The response caused shocked laughter at the recording, and host Victoria moved the programme on afterwards to a different subject.
After the comments were reported online, MEP Nigel Farage has called for police to take action over Jo Brand.
Farage recently had a milkshake thrown over him whilst out meeting the public.
Farage said: “This is incitement of violence and the police need to act.”
On twitter the comments prompted a mixed reaction from the public. Bernard Fox said: “Jo Brand may have said it as a joke, but unfortunately it could be seen as incitement? in that respect its not a joke and its not funny especially if it actually happens in reality.”
Jeanette Franklin said: “Unfortunately, Jo Brand was out of order here. We are living in a time where with the help of social media, words are at their most powerful! Putting an idea out there to those who are the most evil minded and uncaring of us, is shameful and the law should take a stance here!”
Leave EU tweeted: “Absolutely disgusting remark by so-called "comedian" Jo Brand, who suggested last night on BBC Radio4 that we throw battery acid at our politicians. Is this sort of hate speech what we fund the BBC for? Shameful!”
But fellow comedian Lee Hurst said: “Jo Brand is a comedian. She has made a joke. You may not find it funny or you may find it funny. Comedy is subjective. If you criticise her because you like her target, but defend other jokes of a similar nature against targets you don't like you are a hypocrite.”
