No crime found by police at Reginald D Hunter comedy gig amid Israel row

Police found “no crime” took place at a Reginald D Hunter comedy gig following a report of a hate incident at his Edinburgh Fringe show.

Two Israelis were reportedly heckled out of his Sunday performance by the audience following their objection to the 55-year-old US comedian’s joke.

Eastwood Theatre in Giffnock, which was not the venue where the incident took place, announced on Friday that it would not go ahead with Hunter’s September show.

It has removed the listing from its website as well.

On Thursday, Hunter said he regretted an “unfortunate incident” at his Fluffy Fluffy Beavers Edinburgh Festival Fringe show at Assembly George Square Studios.

Police Scotland confirmed the same day that it was reviewing “a hate incident” from the Sunday event.

A Police Scotland spokeswoman said in a statement to the PA news agency on Friday: “We were made aware of a hate incident, which reportedly took place at an event in Edinburgh on Sunday August 11.

“All information gathered was fully reviewed and no crime was established.”

Assembly George Square Studios confirmed to PA that there are no plans to cancel his gigs at its venue, which are set to run until August 25.

A spokeswoman for the venue said: “We are aware of two members of the audience choosing to leave Reginald D Hunter’s performance on Sunday August 11.

“The venue front of house team attended and supported them upon exiting.”

Hunter’s performance was reportedly left by two people following the audience booing them over their objection to Hunter’s joke about Israel, which was called “extremely concerning” by the Campaign Against Antisemitism.

Hunter, who regularly tours the UK and has appeared on comedy panel shows Never Mind The Buzzcocks, Have I Got News For You and 8 Out Of 10 Cats, posted a statement on his social media accounts saying that as a “comedian, I do push boundaries in creating humour, it’s part of my job”.

“This inevitably created divided opinions but I am staunchly anti-war and anti-bully,” he added.

“I regret any stress caused to the audience and venue staff members.”

His “anti-war” reference appears to be in relation to the Israel-Hamas conflict, which has intensified following the attacks in October.

The Campaign Against Antisemitism wrote on X that “comedians are rightly given broad latitude, but they also have a responsibility to their audience”.

The campaign group claimed the two people were Jewish Israelis and were “hounded” from the show by the audience.

“We have seen this before in recent months, and venues must stand extremely firm against this kind of behaviour,” the post also said.

Hunter has caused controversy previously, and in 2013 the Professional Footballers’ Association awards came under fire for his book over the use of offensive language during his performance.

A promotion poster for his comedy shows was banned with London Underground saying at the time it was “likely to offend”.

In February, comedian Paul Currie was banned by the Soho Theatre after he allegedly verbally abused Jewish members of the audience.

The theatre, which is a registered charity and used to be a synagogue, said his “appalling actions are unacceptable”.

It has been reported that Currie wrote in an Instagram story warning pro-Israelis against coming to his Edinburgh Fringe shows at the Stand Comedy Club in August.

He is said to have posted: “Do not come to my show if you are a Zionist or support the illegal apartheid state of Israel. Just don’t come. This show is not for you.”

Hunter, Currie, Eastwood Theatre and the Stand Comedy Club have all been contacted for comment.

Published: 16/08/2024 by Radio NewsHub