Criminal investigation into Bob Vylan and Kneecap Glastonbury comments
Avon and Somerset Police have launched a criminal investigation into the Glastonbury performances of punk-rap duo Bob Vylan and Belfast rap group Kneecap.
Bob Vylan led the crowd in chants of 'death, death to the IDF' – referring to the Israel Defence Forces, while a member of Kneecap suggested fans 'start a riot' at his bandmate's upcoming court appearance.
The BBC said it regrets not pulling the live stream on Bob Vylan's performance. Harry Fawcett has the latest.
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Sky News
28 minutes ago
- Sky News
Chief rabbi condemns BBC's 'mishandled response' to anti-IDF chanting at Glastonbury
The chief rabbi has described the BBC's response to anti-IDF chanting at Glastonbury as "belated and mishandled" - after the culture secretary claimed there is a "problem of leadership" at the national broadcaster. Sir Ephraim Mirvis said "vile Jew-hatred" had been aired at the Somerset music festival and it was a "time of national shame". Confidence in the BBC's "ability to treat antisemitism seriously" has been brought to a "new low", he added in a post on X. And he said that "outright incitement to violence and hatred" appeared to be acceptable if it was couched as "edgy political commentary". Ordinary people had not only failed to see incitement "for what it is" but had cheered it, chanted it, and celebrated it, he said. "Toxic Jew-hatred is a threat to our entire society," he added. Tim Davie, the BBC's director-general, was at Glastonbury when punk rap duo Bob Vylan led chants of "Death to the IDF (Israel Defence Forces)" which were broadcast live, it has emerged. Speaking in the Commons, Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said "accountability" was important and it was something she had "impressed upon the BBC leadership". She added: "When you have one editorial failure, it's something that must be gripped. When you have several, it becomes a problem of leadership." She said she'd called Mr Davie after Bob Vylan's set had been broadcast to find out why it had aired, and why the feed had not been cut. "I expect answers to these questions without delay," she said. Avon and Somerset Police has begun a criminal investigation and is reviewing footage of both Bob Vylan and Kneecap's performances at Glastonbury. The force said a senior detective had been appointed - and it had been contacted by people from around the world. "We... recognise the strength of public feeling," it said. During Kneecap's set, one member suggested starting a "riot" outside his bandmate's forthcoming court appearance, before clarifying that he meant "support". Bob Vylan's US visas have been revoked. They had been due to go on tour. US deputy secretary of state Christopher Landau said action had been taken "in light of their hateful tirade at Glastonbury, including leading the crowd in death chants". "Foreigners who glorify violence and hatred are not welcome visitors to our country," he added. Bob Vylan have also been dropped by United Talent Agency, their US representatives. During Bob Vylan's set, the duo performed in front of a screen that showed several messages, including one that claimed Israel's actions in Gaza amounted to "genocide". The war in Gaza began after Hamas militants attacked Israel on 7 October 2023 and killed 1,200 people and took about 250 hostage. Israel's offensive in Gaza has led to the deaths of more than 56,500 people, according to the Hamas-run health ministry, which does not differentiate between civilians and combatants. Media watchdog Ofcom has said the BBC "clearly has questions to answer" over the live stream from Glastonbury. A BBC spokesperson said: "The director-general was informed of the incident after the performance and at that point he was clear it should not feature in any other Glastonbury coverage." The broadcaster respects freedom of expression but "stands firmly against incitement to violence", they said. They added: "The antisemitic sentiments expressed by Bob Vylan were utterly unacceptable and have no place on our airwaves... "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."
Daily Mirror
33 minutes ago
- Daily Mirror
Record your favourite moments of all time on our Glastonbury Memory Map
As we prepare for the long wait until Glastonbury 2027, we're asking you to share your all-time favourite moments from the festival on our dedicated memories map Glastonbury 2025 has come to an end after bringing more than 200,000 people to Worthy Farm for an unforgettable five days with some of the world's greatest musicians. Whether you went this year, or to the first ever edition in 1970, we want to know your memories of thee iconic festival. This year, headliners Neil Young, Olivia Rodrigo, and The 1975 were the main draw for many festival goers and for millions watching the coverage at home. Becoming the second youngest Glastonbury headliner ever, Olivia Rodrigo stunned fans, showcasing her biggest hits with flawless vocals, impressive piano skills and surprise guest Robert Smith of The Cure. With fans calling 2025's edition of the festival an 'all-timer', the headliners will hope to become part of Glastonbury's rich history, following in the footsteps of stars like David Bowie—whose triumphant set in 2000 was described as 'the best Glastonbury moment of all time' - The Killers in 2017, Bruce Springsteen in 2009, and Radiohead, headliners in 1997, 2003, and 2017. Since the festival first opened in 1970, Worthy Farm in Somerset has played host to the biggest names in music. But often, some of the best memories are made well away from the Pyramid Stage. Back in 1994, the transformative album Definitely Maybe had not yet been released and Oasis were not the rock juggernaut they would become when they took to the NME stage in the late afternoon. The Gallagher brothers performed a raucous set including Live Forever, Supersonic, and Cigarettes & Alcohol, but were eclipsed by Britpop rivals Blur, who headlined the NME stage soon after. Whether it be from this year or any previous year, is there a memory of the festival that you hold dear? Share your favourite recollections of Glastonbury on our map or in the comments below for a chance to be featured in our Worthy Welly newsletter. A year later, Massive Attack filled the dance tent and rapturously brought rave to Glastonbury - a moment which many of this year's attendees will understand after witnessing The Prodigy close The Other Stage in a flurry of electronic beats. Glastonbury has undoubtedly left thousands of festival-goers with memories for life - be it with friends or random people met in crowds, never to be seen again. The UK's most iconic festival is known as such for a reason, with many different areas each with its own loyal fans and attractions - Carhenge, built from 24 mutated vintage cars, Arcadia, with its monumental Dragonfly statue, and Kidzfield, offering entertainment and fun for the next generation of festival-goers. There is West Holts, known for world music and food stalls; The Park, where visitors can climb the Ribbon Tower for a bird's-eye view and The Green Fields, where music lovers can chill out away from the main buzz. Many unsigned artists have been discovered on the BBC Introducing stage, while thousands of fans have lost themselves in an intimate set enjoyed on the Acoustic Stage. And the music continues until sunrise at late-night spots Shangri-La, The Common, Unfairground and Block9. But what are your favourite memories of the world's greatest music festival? You can add your recollections to our interactive map and read what other people have enjoyed most about the festival. That might be a favourite band, an iconic performance, having fun with friends, meeting the love of your life, or simply trying to remember where you camped.
The Independent
44 minutes ago
- The Independent
BBC boss Tim Davie was at Glastonbury during Bob Vylan set
The BBC 's director-general was at Glastonbury Festival when led chants of 'Death, death to the IDF (Israel Defence Forces)' that were broadcast live. It is understood Tim Davie was on a visit to meet staff at the Somerset music event on Saturday afternoon when the set was taking place. He was informed after Bobby Vylan, one half of the British rap punk duo, led his audience in chants that also included 'Free, free Palestine'. The performance, which took place at the West Holts Stage, was livestreamed by the BBC but the organisation later expressed regret for not stopping its broadcast of the 'unacceptable' set. A BBC spokesperson said: 'The director-general was informed of the incident after the performance and at that point he was clear it should not feature in any other Glastonbury coverage.' The news of Mr Davie's presence at the festival comes as the Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis berated the BBC for what he called 'the airing of vile Jew-hatred' and the broadcaster's 'belated and mishandled response'. The corporation has faced strong criticism for continuing to livestream the performance on iPlayer with on-screen warnings about discriminatory language. Broadcasting regulator Ofcom saying it was 'very concerned' by the decision and the Culture Secretary claimed the issue should have been foreseeable and constituted 'a problem of leadership' for the BBC. In a post on X, Sir Ephraim wrote: 'This is a time of national shame. 'The airing of vile Jew-hatred at Glastonbury and the BBC's belated and mishandled response, brings confidence in our national broadcaster's ability to treat antisemitism seriously to a new low. 'It should trouble all decent people that now, one need only couch their outright incitement to violence and hatred as edgy political commentary, for ordinary people to not only fail to see it for what it is, but also to cheer it, chant it and celebrate it. 'Toxic Jew-hatred is a threat to our entire society.' Irish rap trio Kneecap, including member Liam Og O hAnnaidh who appeared in court earlier this month charged with a terror offence, took to the stage directly after Bob Vylan and led chants of 'Free Palestine'. On Monday, Avon and Somerset Police said it had launched a probe into both performances after reviewing video footage and audio recordings, with a senior detective appointed to lead the investigation. A police spokesman said: 'This has been recorded as a public order incident at this time while our inquiries are at an early stage. 'The investigation will be evidence-led and will closely consider all appropriate legislation, including relating to hate crimes.' In a statement on Monday, the BBC said: 'Millions of people tuned in to enjoy Glastonbury this weekend across the BBC's output but one performance within our livestreams included comments that were deeply offensive. 'The BBC respects freedom of expression but stands firmly against incitement to violence. '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. 'The performance was part of a livestream of the West Holts stage on BBC iPlayer. 'The judgment on Saturday to issue a warning on screen while streaming online was in line with our editorial guidelines. 'In addition, we took the decision not to make the performance available 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.' US deputy secretary of state Christopher Landau announced that Bob Vylan's US visas had been revoked due to 'their hateful tirade at Glastonbury', with the duo scheduled to tour in Chicago, Brooklyn and Philadelphia in October. Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy told the Commons on Monday the Government was 'exasperated' with the 'lack of account from the leadership' at the BBC. Ms Nandy said the incident at Worthy Farm had raised 'very, very serious questions at the highest levels of the BBC about the operational oversight and the way in which editorial standards are understood', adding that she wanted to see 'rapid action' from the broadcaster. Cabinet minister Jonathan Reynolds said the scenes at Glastonbury raised wider concerns about society. He told BBC Radio 4's Today: 'There are some lessons, I think, for broadcasters from this, but let's also not shy away from the issue, which is people in a crowd glorifying violence. 'I don't think it's something we'd associate with any music festival, but it's a wider societal problem.' He added:'It's possible, I think, to be completely concerned by the scenes in Gaza and not stray into the kind of behaviour and endorsement that we saw with that performance. 'And I'm deeply shocked to be honest, that people would even not realise what I think they're participating in when they do that.' Glastonbury Festival organisers also condemned Bob Vylan's chants, saying it was 'appalled' by what was said on stage, adding 'there is no place at Glastonbury for antisemitism, hate speech or incitement to violence'. Bob Vylan formed in Ipswich in 2017 and have released four albums addressing issues such as racism, masculinity and class. Bobby Vylan is the stage name of Pascal Robinson-Foster, 34, according to reports. His bandmate drummer uses the alias Bobbie Vylan. In a statement posted to Instagram, he 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.'
