Comedian Reginald D. Hunter appears in London court over social media posts

American comedian Reginald D. Hunter has appeared at the Westminster Magistrates' Court in London this morning to confirm his personal details as he faces private prosecution on counts of allegedly sending offensive communications on social media.

Hunter is known for the TV series Have I Got News For You? and his frequent stand-up tours across Ireland and the UK. His charges, brought by British charity Campaign Against Antisemitism (CAA), include three offences under Section 127 of the UK's Communications Act 2003, which deal with, "improper use of public electronic communications network."

It is alleged that Hunter sent these communications to Heidi Bachram on X, once in August and twice in September of last year.

Heidi Bachram is a British pro-Israel writer and organiser who regularly posts on X and Substack.

Stephen Silverman, Director of Investigations and Enforcement at CAA, said, “This is one of a number of private prosecutions that we are bringing, and there will be more to say on the case in due course.”

According to his crowdfunding page, Hunter's clashes with CAA originated at an August 2024 show at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, in which he performed a pre-written joke criticising Israel. A couple in the audience, who were associated with CAA and Israel's right-wing Likud political party, stood up in protest of the joke.

Following media attention of the incident, Hunter faced online backlash, hate mail and death threats.

In a July 3 post on Instagram, Hunter said CAA "are dragging me to court for jokes online."

In the same post, Hunter referenced CAA's action against Irish artists KNEECAP and Bob Vylan following their Glastonbury performances.

 

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A post shared by Reginald D Hunter | Comedian (@reginalddhunter)

A crowdfunding page was set up by Hunter to finance specialist counsel as well as any appeals procedures and court fees. Prior to his Monday court appearance, the page had raised a total of £19,836 with a goal of £50,000 [€58,000] by August 2.

Hunter's legal team published an update on the page following the hearing, describing directions made by the court and their timeline.

The post quoted from Hunter's team, "Pending full disclosure, the Defence will seek to apply to quash this summons and to stay these proceedings as an abuse of process."

At the court, Hunter's solicitors gave no indication of a plea and Hunter was bailed to return for a full-day public hearing at the same court on November 14.