Heresy

Jo Brand to face no action over acid joke, police say

The Metropolitan Police has said it will take no further action over Jo Brand's comments on a radio show about throwing battery acid at politicians.

PM calls on BBC to explain why acid joke was broadcast

Theresa May has called on the BBC to explain why a joke made by Jo Brand about throwing battery acid was broadcast on one of its radio shows.

Jo Brand battery acid joke being assessed by police

A spokesperson for the Met said: "Police have received an allegation of incitement to violence that was reported to the MPS on 13 June. The allegation relates to comments made on a radio programme. The allegation is currently being assessed. There have been no arrests and inquiries are ongoing."

BBC edits out Jo Brand acid joke from catch-up service

The BBC has removed a Jo Brand joke about throwing acid from its catch-up service after it was suggested that it condoned violence.

Nigel Farage: "police must act" over Jo Brand joke

Nigel Farage has called for police to take action over Jo Brand, after she joked that she'd like to throw acid over far-right politicians. Speaking to Victoria Coren Mitchell on Radio 4 panel show Heresy last night, the comedian was asked to comment on the divisions being stoked over Brexit.

No, Jo Brand is not inciting violence

The Brexit Party should not try to play the PC set at its own censorious game.

Having been in "I hate all Radio 4 comedy" mode for quite some time, I found myself doing actual, real-life guffaws - more than one! - at Heresy on Wednesday evening. It's quite a while since I've done this listening between 6.30 and 7pm, I must say.

There's not much at all to Heresy - it's just a series of received opinions unpicked by witty people in front of a live audience - but, somehow, this week's episode really worked. This was a lot to do with host Victoria Coren Mitchell, who delivers her tinder-dry lines with just the right amount of nonchalance. She's sharp without being nasty or egomaniacal: at certain points in this episode, she formed a sort of comedy alliance with guest Katy Brand, also on great form. Lloyd Langford, a standup, was excellent, and Grayson Perry as hilarious as ever. The person who made me laugh the most, however, was a member of the audience during a discussion about whether anyone would want to own a picture painted by Hitler. I'm not going to spoil his deadpan punchline, but, listeners, I laughed. I honestly did.

Next thing, I'll start liking Radio 2 documentaries... Or maybe not. I do find them irritating. They have great content, but the style, editing and scripts drive me doolally. Too often they come across as documentaries for simpletons, and Radio 2 listeners aren't stupid.

Heresy's simple format involves Victoria Coren and guests attempting to expose the wrong-headedness of received wisdom.

In the first programme, Coren was joined by comedians Lee Mack and David Schneider, and writer-broadcaster Germaine Greer. They argued about Andy Murray, whom Schneider described as "the Gordon Brown of tennis", and the merits of urban foxes.

The show's trump card involves members of the audience - not that their contributions raised the laughter bar much, but they at least provided some respite from the mostly predictable panel patter and comedic one-upmanship.