Al Murray denounces ‘Twitter mobs’ for smothering free speech
Al Murray, comedian behind the fictitious pub landlord persona, has sharply criticised social media for fermenting a ‘mob mentality’ that he believes is smothering free speech.
Addressing a Stand Up for Satire comedy night Murray stated his belief that opinionated people were ‘weaponising’ feelings of anger to shout down people they disagreed with online, citing the case of comedian Daniel O’Reilly who was forced to abandon the persona after being subject to a social media campaign accusing him of being sexist.
This followed an outcry when footage emerged of him singling out a female audience member whom he said was ‘gagging for a rape’.
Murray said: “It was a Twitter mob, there was a mob mentality. That was a pretty ugly episode, he should be allowed to do what he wants. People don't have to like it, that's the thing with art.
"But running the guy out of town ... people need to have a think what they're doing there.
"The rights we extend to Frankie Boyle and defending him for saying what he wants we should extend to Dapper Laughs. Otherwise, they aren't rights - they're a boutique version of rights."
O’Reilly subsequently appeared on Newsnight to apologise for the incident, vowing to kill off the character and cease to promote it. He later undertook a U-turn just one month later, announcing ‘Dapper’s back’ on a YouTube video.