American comedian Reginald D Hunter has had his upcoming performance at Harrow Arts Centre cancelled after facing a backlash for making a joke about Israel at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.
Hunter has been embroiled in controversy after audience members at his Edinburgh show were reportedly jeered for objecting to a joke that compared Israel to an abusive spouse.
The incident sparked accusations of anti-Semitism against the comedian.
Harrow Council, which funds the 400-seat theatre, has requested that Hunter be removed from a planned October show due to what they describe as a clash of values.
A spokeswoman for the council said: "We champion arts and culture in Harrow and strongly support freedom of speech. However, we also take seriously our duty to foster good relations with people – something we take great pride in Harrow."
She continued: "Recent comments and events relating to Reginald D Hunter do not reflect our values of diversity,inclusion, and good community relations.
“We were also particularly concerned by reports about the treatment of audience members at his recent show in Edinburgh.
We have therefore taken the decision to remove this act from the mixed bill comedy show at Harrow Arts Centre on October 11."
It comes after a Jewish couple were left horrified after being hounded out of his comedy gig and branded “baby killers” for heckling a joke about Israel.
The husband and wife fled Hunter's stand-up show at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.
The couple said the audience turned on them after they told the comic his gag was "not funny".
They were branded "baby killers" and "genocidal maniacs".
The wife, Talia, told the Daily Mail: "It was horrible. There was so much hate in their eyes."
Police said there had been "no crime" at the city' Assembly George Square Studios. Hunter said he regretted the "unfortunate incident".
