Bob Vylan and Kneecap face criminal probe as BBC Glastonbury coverage criticised
Bobby Vylan, one half of the British rap punk duo, led crowds at the festival's West Holts Stage on Saturday in chants of 'Free, free Palestine' and 'Death, death to the IDF (Israel Defence Forces)'.
Kneecap performed at Glastonbury straight after Bob Vylan on Saturday (Yui Mok/PA)
In their own set on the stage directly afterwards, Irish rap trio Kneecap similarly led chants of 'Free Palestine' while member Liam Og O hAnnaidh, who appeared in court earlier this month charged with a terror offence, wore a keffiyeh during the performance.
Fellow member JJ O Dochartaigh also wore a T-shirt that said: 'We are all Palestine Action' in reference to the soon-to-be-banned campaign group.
Avon and Somerset Police said they had launched a probe on Monday into both performances at the festival after reviewing video footage and audio recordings, with a senior detective appointed to lead it.
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.'
US deputy secretary of state Christopher Landau announced that Bob Vylan's US visas had been revoked due to 'their hateful tirade at Glastonbury', with the duo scheduled to tour in Chicago, Brooklyn and Philadelphia in October.
The BBC has faced strong criticism for continuing to livestream their performance on iPlayer with on-screen warnings about discriminatory language, leading to broadcasting regulator Ofcom saying it was 'very concerned' by the decision.
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.'
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said the Government was 'exasperated' with the 'lack of account from the leadership' at the BBC during a statement to the Commons on Monday.
Addressing a point from Jim Allister, TUV MP for North Antrim, that the livestream was 'an appalling pro-terrorist broadcast', Ms Nandy said: 'He will know that this Government supports the BBC.
'We believe it is an important institution.
'That is why we are so disappointed that this has happened, why we have been so exasperated with the lack of account from the leadership, not just about this, but about a previous Gaza documentary and a number of other issues as well.
'The BBC is one of the most important institutions in our country, and that is the reason why it is held to the highest of standards.'
Ms Nandy said the incident 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.
Glastonbury Festival itself also condemned Bob Vylan's chants, saying it was 'appalled' by what was said on stage.
A statement on Instagram said: 'Their chants very much crossed a line and we are urgently reminding everyone involved in the production of the festival that there is no place at Glastonbury for antisemitism, hate speech or incitement to violence.'
Bob Vylan, who formed in Ipswich in 2017, have released four albums addressing issues to do with racism, masculinity and class.
Bobby Vylan's real name is Pascal Robinson-Foster, 34, according to reports.
In a statement posted to Instagram, 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.'
Kneecap have been in the headlines after member O hAnnaidh, who performs under the name Mo Chara, was charged with a terror offence.
In reference to his bandmate's upcoming court date, Naoise O Caireallain told Glastonbury they would 'start a riot outside the courts', before clarifying: 'No riots, just love and support, and support for Palestine.'
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South Wales Argus
5 minutes ago
- South Wales Argus
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In a statement issued on Thursday the corporation apologised for the group's 'deplorable behaviour' after frontman, Bobby Vylan, whose real name is reportedly Pascal Robinson-Foster, 34, led crowds in chants of 'death, death to the IDF (Israel Defence Forces)' during their set on Saturday afternoon. The BBC admitted it had assessed the act as 'high risk' before Glastonbury but deemed them suitable for live streaming. The broadcaster said this was 'clearly not the case', adding it was changing its procedures around live music events meaning any music performances deemed high risk will now not be broadcast live or streamed live. Bob Vylan were deemed a 'high risk' act before Glastonbury, the BBC said (Ben Birchall/PA) The statement said: 'We deeply regret that such offensive and deplorable behaviour appeared on the BBC and want to apologise to our viewers and listeners and in particular the Jewish community. We are also unequivocal that there can be no place for antisemitism at, or on, the BBC. 'It is clear that errors were made both in the lead-up to and during Bob Vylan's appearance. We think it's important to set out some of the detail around the streaming of this performance. 'Bob Vylan were deemed high risk following a risk assessment process applied to all acts appearing at Glastonbury. Seven acts including Bob Vylan were included in this category and they were all deemed suitable for live streaming with appropriate mitigations. 'Prior to Glastonbury, a decision was taken that compliance risks could be mitigated in real time on the live stream – through the use of language or content warnings – without the need for a delay. This was clearly not the case.' It added: 'Given the failings that have been acknowledged we are taking actions to ensure proper accountability for those found to be responsible for those failings in the live broadcast. We will not comment further on those processes at this time. 'Furthermore, as a result we will make immediate changes to live streaming music events. 'Any music performances deemed high risk will now not be broadcast live or streamed live.' The BBC has also promised to take action to 'ensure proper accountability' and issued an apology to viewers, especially the Jewish community. BBC director-general Tim Davie has also issued a personal apology, asking people to treat each other with 'respect and kindness'. The group came under fire for chants during their performance on the West Holts Stage (Yui Mok/PA) He said: 'I deeply regret that such offensive and deplorable behaviour appeared on the BBC and want to say sorry – to our audience and to all of you, but in particular to Jewish colleagues and the Jewish community. 'We are unequivocal that there can be no place for antisemitism at the BBC. I and everyone need to ensure that the BBC is a role model for inclusivity and tolerance and we all have a part to play. We are utterly committed to creating an environment where everyone is supported and can do their very best work. 'Please continue to treat each other with respect and kindness.' Since the performance, Avon and Somerset Police have launched an investigation into the comments made during the group's West Holts Stage set. It has emerged that the group were already under investigation by police for comments made at a concert one month before Glastonbury. Video footage appears to show Bobby Vylan at Alexandra Palace telling crowds: 'Death to every single IDF soldier out there as an agent of terror for Israel. Death to the IDF.' The rap group issued a statement on Tuesday claiming they were being 'targeted for speaking up' after Avon and Somerset Police began its investigation. The group have also had their US visas revoked, ahead of their tour later this year, were pulled from their Saturday headline slot at Radar festival in Manchester and from an upcoming performance at a German music venue. Bob Vylan are expected to perform at the Boardmasters surfing and music festival in Newquay, Cornwall, in August. The group is known for addressing political issues in their music including racism, masculinity and class.
The Independent
7 minutes ago
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Nandy demands ‘accountability at highest levels' after Bob Vylan broadcast
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