**US Comedian Reginald D Hunter Appears in London Court Over Alleged Offensive Social Media Posts**
American stand-up comic Reginald D Hunter has appeared before Westminster Magistrates’ Court, facing allegations over a series of controversial social media messages said to be antisemitic in nature. The case, which has drawn considerable public attention, centres on communications sent to Heidi Bachram across three separate occasions last year via X, the platform formerly known as Twitter.
Hunter, who has been a familiar face on British television with regular appearances on shows such as *Never Mind The Buzzcocks*, *Have I Got News For You*, and *8 Out Of 10 Cats*, is accused of sending grossly offensive and sexually explicit computer-generated imagery on 24 August, 10 September, and 11 September 2024.
The prosecution is not being led by the Crown Prosecution Service, but rather by the Campaign Against Antisemitism (CAA), a UK-based charitable organisation. This private prosecution alleges that the messages sent by the comedian were not only sexually explicit but also deeply offensive in their content. During his brief court appearance, Hunter confirmed his name and personal details but did not indicate whether he would plead guilty or not guilty to the charges.
Deputy district judge Louise Balmain informed Hunter that the proceedings would begin with preliminary legal arguments to determine whether the case should move forward. The next scheduled hearing has been set for 14 November at Westminster Magistrates’ Court. The outcome of this hearing will decide not only if Hunter must enter a plea, but also whether the case will proceed to trial. In the meantime, he remains at liberty on unconditional bail.
Throughout this legal dispute, Hunter has maintained a public profile, continuing to tour the UK and posting on his social media accounts. In a recent Instagram post, he characterised the legal action against him as an attempt to curtail comedic freedom, declaring, “They are dragging me to court for jokes online.” He also described himself as “fighting a private prosecution for my comedy” in an online crowdfunding appeal established to support his legal costs.
As of his first court appearance, more than £19,800 had already been pledged towards a £50,000 target to fund specialist legal counsel, potential appeals, and court fees. Supporters of the comedian highlight his longstanding career in the UK, noting his provocative humour and focus on divisive social topics such as racism, politics, and religion. Hunter, who was born in Georgia, USA, in 1969, has not shied away from contentious issues and has previously criticised Israel in his routines.
The CAA, which initiated the prosecution, describes itself as a volunteer-led organisation dedicated to combating antisemitism in the UK. According to Stephen Silverman, the group’s director of investigations and enforcement, this is just one of several cases the charity is pursuing by way of private prosecution. “There will be more to say on the case in due course,” he commented, signalling the CAA’s intent to pursue such matters through the courts where it feels public bodies have not done so.
The case raises important questions about the boundaries of comedy, freedom of expression online, and the capacity for private groups to prosecute alleged hate speech or offensive conduct outside of the police or CPS-led processes. As the November hearing approaches, both supporters and critics of Hunter will watch closely to see how the British legal system addresses the balance between artistic licence and the protection of individuals from targeted offence or abuse.
While the comedic community has often defended stand-up and satire as vital spaces for societal critique, legal interventions such as this hint at increasing scrutiny over what is deemed acceptable when broadcast to wide online audiences. The ultimate decision on whether Hunter will have to address these allegations in full court awaits the next legal arguments in this developing case.