Bob Vylan's Glastonbury set police investigation update as Kneecap case dropped

Daily Mirror

2 days ago

Bob Vylan are still being investigated by police following their Glastonbury Festival performance, police have confirmed, as it was announced the investigation against Kneecap has been dropped.
In a statement, Avon and Somerset Police said: "An investigation has been carried out into comments about a forthcoming court case made during Kneecap's performance at Glastonbury Festival on Saturday 28 June.
"Detectives sought advice from the Crown Prosecution Service during their enquiries and after that advice, we have made the decision to take no further action on the grounds there is insufficient evidence to provide a realistic prospect of conviction for any offence.
"Kneecap was informed of that decision earlier today (Friday, 18 July). Enquiries continue to be carried out in relation to separate comments made on stage during Bob Vylan's performance."
During their performance at Worthy Farm, the duo chanted: "Death to the IDF (Israel Defence Forces)," as well as "Free Palestine," before making a comment relating to working for "f***ing Zionists," which sparked backlash across the country. At the time the force said: "Video footage and audio from Bob Vylan and Kneecap's performances at Glastonbury Festival on Saturday has been reviewed.
"Following the completion of that assessment process, we have decided further enquiries are required and a criminal investigation is now being undertaken. A senior detective has been appointed to lead this investigation.
"This has been recorded as a public order incident at this time while our enquiries are at an early stage. The investigation will be evidence-led and will closely consider all appropriate legislation, including relating to hate crimes."
They added: "We have received a large amount of contact in relation to these events from people across the world and recognise the strength of public feeling. There is absolutely no place in society for hate.
"Neighbourhood policing teams are speaking with people in their local communities and key stakeholders to make sure anyone who needs us knows that we are here for them.
"We hope the work we have carried out, and are continuing to carry out, reassures the public how seriously we are treating Saturday's events. We politely ask the public refrain from continuing to report this matter to us because an investigation is already taking place." The BBC later apologised for airing Bob Vylan's set, which they had initially deemed to be high-risk.
The corporation had initially believed that their set was deemed to be "suitable for livestreaming" but with "appropriate mitigations", although this was "clearly not the case." Bob Vylan have since been dropped by their agent and management teams, while their US visas had also been revoked ahead of their American tour.
Since the controversy, the band have taken to social media, saying: "We are not for the death of Jews, Arabs or any other race or group of people. We are for the dismantling of a violent military machine. We like those in the spotlight before us are not the story. We are a distraction from the story. We are being targeted for speaking up. Free Palestine."