The Stage

Ofcom exonerates Hardy over BNP jibe

Published Thursday 2 December 2004 at 11:10 by Liz Thomas

Ofcom will not take any action over comedian Jeremy Hardy’s comments on his satirical radio show Speaks to the Nation that members and supporters of the British National Party should be “shot in the back of the head”.

Hardy’s remarks, broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in September, caused 70 listeners to complain to the channel and regulator, claiming the suggestion was irresponsible and advocated violence against people supporting a legitimate and legal political party.

In response, the BBC said that Hardy was not seriously advocating that anyone should be shot but that the joke arose from the contrast between being relentlessly rational and mindlessly violent and Hardy was satirising the attitude of the political left, saying they “always have to be positive about humankind and it’s just so tiresome”.

The Corporation conceded that even though comedy does have considerable latitude to push the boundaries, it accepted the sequence was not acceptable as it went too far in its comments about BNP voters.

In its ruling, Ofcom said: “We do not think that the remarks were in any way intended to endorse violent behaviour or could be taken as serious threats. The BBC apologised and we consider that this matter is resolved.”

Earlier this month, Burnley council - which has six BNP councillors - cancelled Hardy’s performance at the town’s Mechanics Theatre over fears the show would be disruptive.

Hardy won the Perrier Award for comedy in 1988 and since has toured as a stand-up, written columns for national newspapers and hosted television and radio programmes.