Reform UK mayor says Bob Vylan's chants show ‘two-tier justice'
Reform UK mayor of Greater Lincolnshire, Andrea Jenkyns, said that if Bob Vylan aren't arrested over their chants at Glastonbury, it is evidence of a 'two-tiered justice system.'
Rapper Bobby Vylan led a crowd in chants of: 'Death, death to the IDF,' during the group's performance on Saturday (28 June).
'If the police don't arrest and treat them the same way as Lucy Connolly and all the other political prisoners, then they should let Lucy Connolly and the other political prisoners out and give them compensation,' Jenkyns told GB News on Monday (30 June).
Lucy Connolly, the wife of a former Conservative councillor, was jailed for 31 months for inciting racial hatred online following the Southport attacks.
'Because this is evidence that we've got a two-tiered justice system,' Ms Jenkyns claimed.
Police are assessing videos of comments made by Bob Vylan at Glastonbury to decide whether any offences may have been committed.
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Sky News
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Bob Vylan dropped by talent agency - as BBC expresses 'regret' over streaming of Glastonbury performance
The BBC has said it regrets not pulling the live stream of Bob Vylan's "unacceptable" Glastonbury set - as Ofcom said the broadcaster had "questions to answer". The corporation has faced mounting criticism over airing the performance on Glastonbury 's West Holts Stage, during which the rap-punk duo's frontman Bobby Vylan led chants of, "free, free Palestine", and "death, death to the IDF [Israel Defence Forces]". Sir Keir Starmer condemned the remarks as "appalling hate speech", while festival organiser Emily Eavis said they "crossed a line" - and media watchdog Ofcom has now also released a statement raising concerns. On Monday morning, a spokesperson for the prime minister did not directly answer when asked if he still had confidence in BBC director-general Tim Davie. Sky News understands the band have since been dropped by representatives United Talent Agency. 2:32 During Bob Vylan's set on Saturday, they performed in front of a screen that showed several messages, including one that said Israel's actions in Gaza amount to "genocide". Footage from the performance shows some of the crowd joining in with the chants. Amid criticism afterwards, the BBC said there had been a warning on screen about potential "strong and discriminatory language", but described the comments as "deeply offensive". On Monday, a spokesperson released an updated statement, saying the comments were antisemitic and the performance should have been taken off air. "The BBC respects freedom of expression but stands firmly against incitement to violence," the statement said. "The antisemitic sentiments expressed by Bob Vylan were utterly unacceptable and have no place on our airwaves. We welcome Glastonbury's condemnation of the performance." A judgement to issue a warning on screen while streaming online was in line with editorial guidelines, the spokesperson added, and the performance has not been made available to view on demand. "The team were dealing with a live situation but with hindsight we should have pulled the stream during the performance. We regret this did not happen. "In light of this weekend, we will look at our guidance around live events so we can be sure teams are clear on when it is acceptable to keep output on air." Ofcom's reaction An Ofcom spokesperson said: "We are very concerned about the live stream of this performance, and the BBC clearly has questions to answer. "We have been speaking to the BBC over the weekend and we are obtaining further information as a matter of urgency, including what procedures were in place to ensure compliance with its own editorial guidelines." In a statement shared on Instagram on Sunday, Bobby Vylan said: "Teaching our children to speak up for the change they want and need is the only way that we make this world a better place. "As we grow older and our fire starts to possibly dim under the suffocation of adult life and all its responsibilities, it is incredibly important that we encourage and inspire future generations to pick up the torch that was passed to us." The latest developments follows severe condemnation from the prime minister, who said there was "no excuse for this kind of appalling hate speech". Sir Keir also referenced a previous statement that Belfast rap group Kneecap, who were on stage after Bob Vylan, should have been removed from the line-up after one member was charged with a terrorism offence. "I said that Kneecap should not be given a platform and that goes for any other performers making threats or inciting violence," he said. 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Speaking to Sky News, women and equalities minister Baroness Jacqui Smith said the comments "clearly" over-stepped the mark.
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The Iranian threat already inside Britain
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