lurker I've reminded myself a bit about nazi pug guy ... He was accused and fined a medium amount for gross offense for his video. The judge, who had heard the evidence, said it was:
...a deeply unpleasant offence in which disgraceful and utterly offensive material was very widely distributed by the appellant... This was to the considerable distress of the community in question and – just as disturbingly – to the apparent approval of a large number of persons who appear to share the appellant’s racist views.
The counter argument is of course that no one has the right not to be offended. NPG also said they had ignored the fact that it was a joke. I do agree with the counter arguments, and had it been made clear in the video that it was a joke, and that he wasn't actually celebrating nazi views (as JB did, by implication of it being a comedy show, and actual words) the judgement may have been more lenient. However, I think the latter part of the judge's statement is key, about how others viewed it. Also, this tipped so far over the "offense" line that it would be hard to argue it was made and distributed in good faith as a joke. And my previous comments on antisemitic actions stand (and whether you say he was an out and out hammer and sickle socialist, or a common or garden ukip nazi (this is a joke... just to cover myself 
, I do not think every member of ukip is a nazi...) doesn't matter. We have seen that antisemitism isn't solely an issue on the right). People may have no right not to be offended, but they do have a right not to feel unsafe in their community, or be discriminated against through pervasive views that are normalised or whatever.
Re "if Farage or Trump had said it..." yes, I agree, that would be a totally different kettle of fish, because they are politicians. I know we have a low opinion of politicians, but I think everyone agrees that it is not on for them to suggest one illegal action is a bit more pathetic than another illegal action. Rightly or wrongly comedians have more leeway. And even then I think I wouldn't defend JB if she had made her comment on CBeebies, as a pp has said (or out of context at a fundraiser for acid attack victims, for example). But she didn't and wouldn't 'cos she knew exactly what she was doing and who her audience were.
boney thanks 
. And I have to say I do agree. It is totally within people's rights to say they find something offensive, as people are doing on this thread. Reasonable people, especially comedians who know they do the line-skirting thing - should listen, and will likely temper that act for certain audiences. I maintain she has a right to free speech in comedy, but given her audience is now much wider than originally anticipated, she is probably a bit upset that people have been genuinely offended. I don't think she is a callous monster who sets out to offend people who don't go to a comedy show expecting that things will be said outside of normal polite society conversation. However, I don't think people's rights extend to "I'm offended, send her to prison" or "fine her" or "sack her"... Of course they can say that is their preferred remedy (and others can agree or disagree) but ultimately that is a decision for the courts or the employer, and I think it is distasteful for so much pressure/threats to be made to them to act out the will of a comparatively small section of society.
thornyhousewife I like her even more for staying solid about free speech and the function of comedy and for not apologising
Yy, totally agree!