National talk station LBC is being investigated by Ofcom after one of its presenters apparently urged listeners to physically assault striking London Underground staff.
Steve Allen, who LBC promotes as having a “caustic tongue”, allegedly told his early morning audience that they should “beat up” tube workers taking industrial action last month. A listener complained the comment was “likely to encourage violent and criminal behaviour”.
The comments came when Tube workers took industrial action last month (Getty)
An Ofcom spokesperson said: “Ofcom is investigating whether a statement made on this early morning programme was likely to encourage or incite crime.” The RMT union said it was too early to comment on an ongoing investigation.
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Allen is an LBC veteran who states on the station’s website that “I’ve worked at LBC since the days when we used to have wind-up microphones and the show was broadcast from a tent under the Hammersmith flyover”. He claims his show is “immune to death, disease, or natural disaster”.
LBC has previously described The Steve Allen Show, which is broadcast between 4am and 6.30am, as being an entertainment programme which is “thoroughly irreverent”.
The Independent has approached Steve Allen and LBC for comment.
