Comedian Jo Brand will not be investigated by Ofcom over her joke about throwing battery acid at politicians, it has been confirmed.

The broadcasting watchdog today said while the star's comments had 'potential to offend listeners' it was unlikely to encourage or incite the commission of a crime'.

The decision comes months after the comic sparked outrage after she made a controversial quip during an appearance on Radio 4's Heresy show in reference to political figures such as Nigel Farage who had been hit by milkshakes.

She told the BBC show: 'I'm thinking why bother with a milkshake when you could get some battery acid' and added: 'I'm not going to do it, it's purely a fantasy. But I think milkshakes are pathetic.'

Jo Brand will not be investigated by Ofcom over her joke after the broadcasting watchdog said it was unlikely to encourage or incite the commission of a crime'

The comic made a controversial quip around three weeks after Nigel Farage had a milkshake thrown over him by a member of the public

Ofcom said the comments, which aired on June 13, 'had clear potential to offend listeners'.

It said the comments 'were unlikely to encourage or incite the commission of a crime'.

It cited audience expectations of Brand and the satirical programme, and the comic making it clear her comments should not be taken seriously or acted on.

The programme was recorded amid political debate about Brexit and around three weeks after Nigel Farage had a milkshake thrown over him by a member of the public.

An Ofcom spokeswoman said the complaints would not be pursued further.

'Acid attacks are extremely serious crimes. We found that these comments had clear potential to offend listeners,' she said.

'But we also considered the audience's likely expectations of Jo Brand's style - and of this established show, which sets out to challenge accepted views in society through provocative comedy.

The broadcasting watchdog Ofcom said the comments, which aired on June 13, 'had clear potential to offend listeners' but it was 'unlikely to encourage or incite the commission of a crime'

'We also took into account that Ms Brand immediately qualified her comments, making it clear they shouldn't be taken seriously or acted upon.'

The broadcasting code says material which has the potential to offend may be broadcast, as long as its inclusion in a programme is justified by the context.

Ofcom said: 'Taking into account broadcasters' and audiences' rights to freedom of expression, we consider that there should be significant room for creative freedom and challenging material in comedy programmes.'

Last year, the BBC's executive complaints unit ruled that the joke 'went beyond what was appropriate' for a Radio 4 comedy show.

Ofcom said it will 'continue to work with the BBC as it further considers ways to improve transparency around the BBC complaints process'.