Hardy off the hook
BNP complaints 'resolved'
Broadcasting watchdogs are to take no action over Jeremy Hardy’s comments that BNP voters should be “shot in the back of the head”.
Seventy people complained to Ofcom about the line in his Radio 4 show, after the far-Right party mobilised their supporters in protest.
They have already persuaded Burnley Council to cancel Hardy’s scheduled gig at the publicly-owned Burnley Mechanics tomorrow night.
Complaints to Ofcom claimed that his comments on Jeremy Hardy Speaks To The Nation on September 9 were “irresponsible and advocated violence against people supporting a legitimate and legal political party”.
In response, the BBC said Hardy was not seriously advocating anyone be shot.
They said he was satirising the attitude of the political Left because they “always have to be positive about humankind and it’s just so tiresome”, and the joke arose from the contrast between being relentlessly rational and mindlessly violent.
However, the corporation did concede that the comments overstepped the mark and apologised for them.
Publishing its ruling today, Ofcom decided: “We do not think 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.”Published: 29 Nov 2004
