CONTROVERSIAL comic Jeremy Hardy will not be coming to Burnley – after protests from the British National Party.
Members of the BNP were outraged to learn Burnley Borough Council had booked Hardy, who recently made anti-BNP comments on a BBC radio show.
Council officials have now axed the show.
BNP activist Mr John Cave said, in a letter to the Express: "In the past artistes have been rejected on the grounds they may cause offence to some members of our community. Does the management of the Mechanics not consider the thousands of people i
n this town who voted BNP will not be offended by their promotion of this man's opinions?
"Considering the BBC has upheld the objections they have received regarding the comments of Mr Hardy on its programme, would it not be prudent for the Mechanics to withdraw its invitation to this pseudo-comedian and so avoid any similar embarrassment?"
Billed as a commentator on class and politics, Hardy is famed for his appearances on BBC Radio 4's The News Quiz but his comments recently led to a flood of complaints at the BBC.
A spokesman for Burnley Borough Council said: "The decision was taken after our attention was drawn to controversial, unsavoury comments made by Mr Hardy on his national radio show which raised certain concerns. While not wishing to comment on what he said, the council recognises Mr Hardy's remarks were controversial.
"The decision was not taken on any political grounds." In May 2003 council officials pulled the plug on Bernard Manning's performance at Burnley Mechanics, saying they did not feel his show would be "in keeping with the council's commitment to promoting equality and treating people with respect".
