Hundreds of protestors demand accountability from LBC over ‘blood libel’ broadcast

Demonstrators outside LBC’s central London headquarters last night chanted ‘Shame!’ in protest at presenter James O’Brien, whose show broadcast unchallenged antisemitic claims on 22 July.

More than 250 members of Britain’s Jewish community and allies gathered
at the Leicester Square building to demand accountability following the broadcaster’s failure to address what organisers described as a “modern blood libel” airing on national radio.

Speakers at the event organised by advocacy groups Stop the Hate and We Believe in Israel, included Alex Hearn from Labour Friends of Israel, Reverend Hayley Ace, Reverend Tim Gutmann from Christians Against Antisemitism and broadcaster Jonathan Sacerdoti.

The protest followed LBC presenter James O’Brien’s reading of a message from a listener claiming Jewish children are taught that “one Jewish life is worth thousands of Arab lives” and that “Arabs are cockroaches to be crushed” at non-existent “Shabbat schools.”

The claims, which echo medieval antisemitic tropes, were aired unchallenged during a discussion about Gaza on 22 July.

O’Brien’s subsequent 55-second apology the following day, after widespread condemnation from every major British Jewish organisation including the Board of Deputies, Jewish Leadership Council, and CST, was described by the protest organisers as “inadequate and insincere.”

The demonstration comes amid record levels of antisemitic incidents in the UK, with Jewish schools and synagogues requiring heightened security. Hertfordshire Police and Crime Commissioner Jonathan Ash-Edwards has called for O’Brien’s suspension, stating: “This is not a question of free speech—it is a question of broadcasting standards and judgement.”

Protest organisers said: “Last night’s turnout demonstrates the depth of concern within our community. We continue to call on Global Media & Entertainment to take a clear and public stand against antisemitism on its platforms, including a full on-air correction and formal sanctions.

“Anything less signals complicity in spreading anti-Jewish conspiracy theories.”