JO Brand’s ‘sick’ acid attack joke has been removed from BBC iPlayer as police continue to investigate her remarks today.
Brand sparked outrage on BBC Radio 4’s Heresy programme after saying a string of milkshake attacks on politicians such as Nigel Farage should have been carried out with acid instead.
The 61-year-old comedian told Radio 4 show Heresy that yobs who attacked Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage with milkshakes were “pathetic”, adding: “Why bother with a milkshake when you could get some battery acid?”
Scotland Yard confirmed yesterday it will assess the comments after receiving a report of incitement to violence.
The BBC initially refused to apologise for the vile gag saying the comedy show ‘was not meant to be taken seriously’.
But the Beeb has since removed the episode from its iPlayer and released an updated statement in the wake of outrage from senior politicians and acid attack victims.
A spokeswoman said: “We carefully considered the programme before broadcast. It was never intended to encourage or condone violence, and it does not do so, but we have noted the strong reaction to it.
“Comedy will always push boundaries and will continue to do so, but on this occasion we have decided to edit the programme. We regret any offence we have caused.”
After laughing off the controversy to reporters yesterday, Brand shifted her stance to apologise before fans at a book launch in Henley-on-Thames, Oxon, last night.
She said: “Looking back it probably was somewhat a crass and ill-judged joke that might upset people.
“Of course I’d never do anything like that. It was purely a fantasy. I’m sorry. I’m a human, I make mistakes.
But she added: “I don’t think it’s a mistake. If you think it is I’m happy to accept that.”
And she went on: “Female politicians and public figures are threatened day in, day out, with far worse things than battery acid . . . rape, murder and what have you.
“At least I’m here and trying to explain what I did. I don’t think I have anyone to answer to. Nigel Farage wasn’t even mentioned by me on the night so why he has taken it upon himself I don’t know.”
Victims of sickening acid attacks have told The Sun Online told The Sun Online they were ‘appalled’ by the comments and the Beeb’s defence of Brand.
Joe Davies – who was left with horrific injuries after having drain cleaner hurled at him – has said the ‘vile’ gag is not a laughing matter.
He told The Sun Online: “It’s disgusting. I can’t comprehend how someone could say that and anyone could stand by it saying it’s funny.
“The BBC should apologise. It’s 100 per cent vile and 100 per cent not funny.
I’d like to meet her face-to-face and describe to her what I went through, and the battles I still face every day
Acid Attack Victim Joe Davies
“The police should investigate if it’s calling for this to happen to someone else, it shouldn’t just be brushed under the carpet.”
Andreas Christopheros, 33, suffered horrific burns in a mistaken identity attack on his doorstep in Truro, Cornwall, in 2014 after thug David Phillips drove 300 miles to confront a man he wrongly thought lived at the address and had sexually assault a member of his family.
Dad-of-two Andreas labelled Brand and the Beeb ‘reckless and deeply stupid’ over the comments.
He said: “I’m all for comedy and free speech, I’ve laughed at acid attack jokes before, but this is different.
“The chances of an MP being acid attacked are unfortunately not that far-fetched right now, but she’s used that platform to suggest it’s OK to inflict that on people you don’t agree with.
“It’s a reckless and deeply stupid thing to put out there on a radio show and both she and the BBC should apologise.”
Prime Minister Theresa May has said BBC should explain why it broadcast the comments.
The Prime Minister’s official spokesman said: “The Prime Minister has been repeatedly clear that politicians should be able to go about their work and campaign without harassment, intimidation or abuse.
“I note that Brendan Cox has said that violence and intimidation should not be normalised and we should consistently stand against it. The Prime Minister shares this view.
“It is for the BBC to explain why it considers this to have been appropriate content for broadcast.”
Farage had a banana and salted caramel Five Guys milkshake thrown on him while campaigning in Newcastle ahead of the EU elections last month.
Army veteran and Brexit Party supporter Don McNaughton, 81, had milkshake thrown over him at a polling station in Aldershot, Hants.
A Donald Trump supporter was also doused in milkshake and had “Nazi scum” screamed in his face in London last week.
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