Councillors to let comic Davidson to perform
COMEDIAN Jim Davidson has spoken out after Evesham councillors debated whether to stop him from performing in the town over ‘‘perceived racist material’.’
The controversial comic is due to appear at the Town Hall on March 12 as part of his Unlocked tour, the promotion for which describes the comic as ‘‘risque’’.
But councillors in the Worcestershire town held a meeting to debate whether to axe his upcoming show after they received a number of ‘‘verbal concerns’’ over his material.
However, they have decided the show will go ahead. In a video statement, Davidson said he was pleased that the council ultimately decided to go ahead with the show.
On the controversy caused by the meeting, he said: “There was huge uproar, people saying ‘why are we debating this?’ People started fighting, killing one another, burning each other – not quite that.
“Let me just say, not thank you, but well done Evesham Council for having the grown-up-ness to let people decide whether they want to see an artist or not.”
Before the controversial meeting, an Evesham Town Council spokesman said: “As the provider of a venue for entertainment, the council has a duty to ensure those hiring the hall are not going to use it for any illegal purpose. Having received some verbal concerns regarding the material contained in Jim Davidson’s routine, it is important the council considers the risk not only to its reputation but also the legal risk of providing the venue, having received notice of the potential for a breach of the law.
“The Public Order Act 1986 makes it a criminal offence to ‘use threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour that causes, or is likely to cause another person harassment, alarm or distress’. This law now includes language likely to incite ‘racial and religious hatred’ in this definition.”
He added: “The concerns raised around the appearance of Jim Davidson have been related to his perceived racist and sexist material.
“It is important the council conducts the exercise of considering the risk of allowing divisive material to be performed on its premises and the rights under Article ten of the Human Rights Act.”