After outspoken Glastonbury performances, Bob Vylan and Kneecap face U.K. criminal investigation
After several acts at the U.K. festival Glastonbury led chants in support of Palestinian freedom and denouncing the Israel Defense Forces, U.K. police opened a criminal investigation into their performances.
Several outlets including the BBC cited a statement from Avon and Somerset police in the U.K. announcing an inquiry into sets by the rap-punk group Bob Vylan and the Northern Irish rap group Kneecap.
During Bob Vylan's set, the band's singer Bobby Vylan (born Pascal Robinson-Foster) led Glastonbury crowds in chants of both 'free, free Palestine' and, more controversially, 'death, death to the IDF.'
Though police did not cite specific actions that were being investigated, "This has been recorded as a public order incident at this time while our enquiries are at an early stage," the statement read. "The investigation will be evidence-led and will closely consider all appropriate legislation, including relating to hate crimes."
Read more: Pro-Palestinian Irish rap group plays for big U.K. crowd despite criticism, terrorism charge
The BBC, which broadcast Bob Vylan's set, said in a statement that 'The antisemitic sentiments expressed by Bob Vylan were utterly unacceptable and have no place on our airwaves." The network added that it 'respects freedom of expression but stands firmly against incitement to violence.' Glastonbury's organizers said in a statement that they were "appalled" by Vylan's comments, which they said "crossed a line."
The U.S. State Department also announced the the two members of Bob Vylan would have their U.S. visas revoked. 'Foreigners who glorify violence and hatred are not welcome visitors to our country,' U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau said on social media.
The BBC did not broadcast the Glastonbury set from the acclaimed Belfast rap trio Kneecap, which has attracted worldwide attention for its outspoken criticism of Israel's war on Gaza, including at its recent Coachella sets.
Read more: Rap group Kneecap claims pro-Palestine messages were cut from its Coachella set
Kneecap instead reportedly roused the crowd in a profane chant against U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who had criticized their booking at the festival after the group's Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, who performs as Mo Chara, was charged with supporting a proscribed organization for allegedly waving a flag from the terror group Hezbollah at a London concert in 2024 (Chara denied the charge).
U.K. prosecutors, citing time limits, recently dropped charges against the group after a 2023 concert where Chara allegedly said, "The only good Tory is a dead Tory. Kill your local MP."
After the performance, talent agency UTA reportedly dropped Bob Vylan from its roster. Singer Bobby Vylan stood by his comments, writing on social media that '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."
Get notified when the biggest stories in Hollywood, culture and entertainment go live. Sign up for L.A. Times entertainment alerts.
This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
20 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Man accused of dumping 27 tonnes of waste in country lane appears in court
A man who allegedly dumped 27 tonnes of waste which blocked off access to homes and businesses on a country lane has appeared in court. Darren Sheen, 39, offered no indication of plea to a raft of charges faced by him and a business, Fusion Engineering Ltd, at Cannock Magistrates' Court on Tuesday. The charges relate to a huge mound of fly-tipped waste that appeared on the night of January 19 in Watery Lane on the outskirts of Lichfield in Staffordshire. Sheen, who wore a blue shirt and tie for the 10-minute hearing, of Grange Road in Uttoxeter, is accused of causing danger to road users, submitting controlled waste likely to cause pollution or harm to human health, driving a motor vehicle dangerously, failing without reasonable excuse to record data on a driver's card, wilful obstruction of a highway, failure to take measures when managing extractive waste to prevent contraventions and the escape of waste, handling, controlling or transferring controlled waste without taking reasonable measures and depositing rubbish within 15 feet of the centre of a highway. The business, of which Sheen appears to be listed as a director on Companies House, faces charges of submitting controlled waste likely to cause pollution or harm to human health, failing to take measures when managing extractive waste to prevent contraventions and the escape of waste, handling, controlling or transferring controlled waste without taking reasonable measures, wilful obstruction of a highway and depositing dung, compost or rubbish on a made-up carriageway. Lichfield District Council began an investigation after the waste, which measured over 20 metres long and two metres high, was dumped and contractors used a mechanical digger to clear the road and restore access to the two-lane route the next morning. Prosecutor Mark Jackson told the court it was their case that Sheen got into a Volvo HGV which had a trailer of untreated waste attached at the company's unit in Pasturefields Enterprise Park in Great Haywood and drove 23km to Watery Lane where he allegedly reversed the vehicle and dumped the waste. He said Sheen accepted in interview that he had driven the vehicle and had gone to the area, but that he had gone out that night to 'test the brakes' of the HGV. Mr Jackson requested that the case was serious enough to be sent to Stafford Crown Court, which was agreed by the panel of magistrates, with Sheen now due to face a further hearing on August 4.
Yahoo
23 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Grey-haired woman in her 50s caught on CCTV taking 'one of a kind' jacket from charity shop
A Swansea charity shop is facing an all-too-familiar problem after a "one of a kind" jacket was stolen from its window display in broad daylight. Claire Franklin, who has managed Greyhound Rescue Wales for eight years, is no stranger to the challenges of running a charity shop, but said this particular theft had been personally "very upsetting". Located in Kingsway Road in Swansea, the shop has become well known for its quirky window displays, often featuring upcycled items like dresses made from crisp packets and denim jackets transformed into unique pieces of art. READ MORE: Cardiff office building could be turned into apartments after being put up for sale for £9.5m READ MORE: Five ice cream shops in Wales named amongst best in UK Claire's goal has always been to blend creativity with charity, as she shared: "I just want to show that you can reuse an item even when you think there is no life left in it." Yet, the recent loss of a specially crafted jacket has left her feeling disheartened. Speaking to WalesOnline, Claire said the jacket wasn't just another item for sale - but something she spent a lot of her free time working on, for the good of the charity. She had taken the worn old jacket and reworked it, painting colourful flowers on the leather; colouring the seams white; making it something truly different. "I had painted the jacket in my own time; it was a bit ripped on the inside but I didn't want it going in the bin - I'd rather make something out of it." The jacket was in line to be auctioned off to raise money for the charity. Claire said: "We do these auctions to raise money for the Greyhound Rescue Charity and the shop. I only do it with the odd item every now and then, I have done a few jackets and shoes. "It tends to be on our Facebook page, one of our previous jackets was even purchased by someone in Australia. I had a customer come in five times begging to buy an item in our window before. This jacket in question was very popular, lots of people were enquiring about it." Unfortunately, the jacket was stolen before the auction could take place. Never miss a Swansea story by signing up to our newsletter here On Monday, June 23, Claire had returned to work after a couple of days off. "It was the end of the day on my first day back," she recalled. "That's when I looked and realised - oh, my jacket is gone! "I asked the assistant manager but she said it had been there that morning. We then checked with the volunteers in case it had been sold, we often get tickets swapped so people get things cheaper but again - nothing. That's when we checked the CCTV." According to Claire, the CCTV footage showed a woman, estimated to be in her early fifties with short greying hair, entering the shop around 10am that morning. The video reportedly shows the woman walking straight to the window display, grabbing the jacket from the mannequin, and going behind a rail to turn it inside out, revealing the lining. "She didn't look around at anything else," Claire noted. "She put the jacket over her arm, checked to see if anyone was watching, and then made a beeline for the door." "It all happened in two and a half minutes," Claire added. "I watched the footage about ten times, and it was just shocking. It was obvious that she came in for the jacket, and only the jacket." The whole ordeal left Claire feeling very upset, but she admitted this was not the first time they'd dealt with thefts at the charity shop. "Unfortunately, we've had this happen quite a lot," she said. "We often get people swapping price tags to get a cheaper deal, or even taking things without paying. We have had people take off their shoes, swap them for a new pair, and leave their old, grotty ones behind on the shelf. It happens more often than people realise." Since the theft, Claire has shared a plea for help on social media, and plans to eventually release the CCTV footage. The post, asking for people to keep an eye out for the jacket, has been shared over 200 times. "We're hoping that by spreading the word, it might turn up somewhere," Claire said. "I just want people to be aware of what's going on. "As I said in my post - if anyone does see it, please do not approach the person, just take a description down and let us know. We don't want anyone putting themselves in danger." The theft not only means the loss of a unique item but also the lost funds that would have gone to the animals the charity supports. "We rely on these auctions to help the charity cover things like vet bills, food, and other essential costs. "Like many charities up and down the country, with the financial difficulties many are currently experiencing, it's difficult to do that with bills also going out." Despite the setback, Claire said she had been heartened by the support of the community. "I've had people come up to me, some of whom I don't even know, to say how sorry they are," she said. "People have come in and donated a couple pounds because they feel so bad on our behalf. "That kind of support has been incredible, and it shows that people care.' Claire remained hopeful that the jacket might still turn up, but said she was not holding her breath. "I'm not expecting it to come back, but I just don't want the person who took it to profit from something that I worked on and was meant to help the charity," she said. "If this story is shared enough then, hopefully, this jacket becomes useless to them. It's a one-of-a-kind piece, so it's not like she can wear it." Greyhound Rescue Wales continues to operate despite the loss, and Claire remains committed to the cause. 'We work hard to make this place a success. It's tough, but we're still here, and we'll keep doing what we do." Following the incident, a spokesperson from South Wales Police commented: "Officers received a report of an item of clothing having been stolen from a business premises on The Kingsway, Swansea, at around 1:45pm on Friday, June 27. "An investigation into this incident is currently ongoing. "Anyone with information as to the whereabouts of the missing item – a hand-painted jacket – should report it to us via 101, quoting 2500203528."
Yahoo
29 minutes ago
- Yahoo
TV Host Says She Was Left 'Unable to Hear or Walk' After Her Drink Was Spiked at Bar: 'Can't Remember How I Got Home'
On the Tuesday, July 1 episode of Good Morning Britain, TV presenter Ranvir Singh revealed how she was once left unable to hear or walk after her drink was spiked in a bar The 47-year-old said she was at a work event in the U.K. when the incident took place 'I remember feeling my legs go ... I can't even remember how I got home," said SinghGood Morning Britain host Ranvir Singh has revealed that she was once left unable to walk or hear after getting her drink spiked on a night out. The TV host, 47, said the incident occurred while at a work event over a decade ago during a segment about the rise of drink-spiking in Britain on the U.K. show on Tuesday, July 1. 'It was about 7:30 p.m., in the evening and it was my first drink. I had gone to the bar and I was waiting, I think it might have been a work thing … but no one else had arrived,' Singh recalled of the scary incident. 'I had arrived early and I went to the bar and bought one glass of wine as you would do,' she continued. 'I probably drank half of it, or maybe three quarters, and I thought I'm just going to nip to the [restroom] before everyone arrives.' At that moment, Singh said 'everything just started to swim." 'I remember feeling my legs go and I went downstairs. And by the time I came upstairs, I sort of managed to get myself up, I couldn't hear anything, my hearing had gone," she recalled. "You instantly know that something weird has happened"@ranvir01 shares how she was spiked at a bar in Manchester. — Good Morning Britain (@GMB) July 1, 2025 After eventually managing to make her way back up the stairs, Singh said she remembered 'looking down the bar thinking, 'I can't go back down there' and I just left,' adding, 'I can't even remember getting home.' Drink spiking is when someone puts alcohol or drugs into another person's drink without their permission, potentially leading to harmful effects. It is illegal in the U.K. and U.S., chargeable with a Class 4 felony which could lead to up to ten years in prison. According to a poll carried out in December 2022, 10% of women and 5% of men in the U.K. reported that a drink of theirs had previously been spiked, with the majority of victims of all spiking offences being women at 74%, per is now available in the Apple App Store! Download it now for the most binge-worthy celeb content, exclusive video clips, astrology updates and more! Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Sign up for for breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases. While appearing on Good Morning Britain, Singh said she didn't report her spiking incident at the time. 'Weirdly, this was probably about 12/13 years ago, so it didn't occur to me to report it,' she said. 'But interestingly … my female producer [she] said that 'it also happened to me.' It's amazing how common it is,' added Singh. Read the original article on People
