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Yahoo
an hour ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Calls to ban Bob Vylan from Boardmasters
Hundreds of people have called upon Cornwall councillors to ban a controversial punk-rap duo from appearing at the Boardmasters festival. Bob Vylan sparked controversy after leading anti-Israeli military chants at Glastonbury Festival during a televised performance in June. Cornwall Council agreed to hold a licensing hearing following a public complaint, but not until after the band has appeared at the Newquay event on 10 August. It has since received almost 300 complaints in a "concerted campaign", says councillor Dulcie Tudor, with many understood to have come from outside the county. A Boardmasters spokesperson said the festival did not "tolerate hate speech" or "incitement to violence". Ms Tudor added: "It's more than the most-controversial planning application." Despite pressure on the council to bring the licensing hearing forward, it said it was unable to do so because of licensing hearing regulations, including a 20-day consultation period. Councillor Leigh Frost, the council leader, said he would respond to every person who had contacted him, to thank them for "raising concerns" and would invite them to contribute to the licence review. What happened at Glastonbury? Bob Vylan were appearing on one of Glastonbury's main stages, the West Holts Stage, on the afternoon of Saturday, 28 June. The London-based band led audience chants of "death, death to the IDF [Israel Defence Forces]" and made other derogatory comments during their Glastonbury performance, as well as making other highly critical comments about the situation in the region and about Zionism. It led to questions in Parliament, condemnation from the prime minister, and a public apology from the BBC, which said it should have cut the television feed. The band has also had their US visas revoked and other tour dates cancelled. Dr Ed Abrahamson, who made the original complaint to the council, said Bob Vylan had been "cancelled by every single festival worldwide, by their own agents and they are under active investigation by the UK anti-terrorist force". He asked the council to intervene to revoke the band's right to perform. Dr Abrahamson said: "Or are we going to see young Cornish people exposed and encouraged to join in with murderous chants?" More news stories for Cornwall Listen to the latest news for Cornwall According to the council's licensing department, the only organisation with the power to intervene is Devon and Cornwall Police. However, the force has previously said decisions about who performs at the festival are down to the festival's organisers. A police spokesperson said: "Our priority is the safety of those attending, those working at the event and the local communities, and we will take proportionate action in relation to reported crimes or incidents. "We look forward to welcoming Boardmasters back to Cornwall in August." A Boardmasters spokesperson said the festival did not "tolerate hate speech, incitement to violence or behaviour that puts anyone at risk". "Boardmasters is committed to being a space where people from all backgrounds feel welcome and safe," they said. The festival said its decision to proceed with the performance reflected "a balance of factors". "We have been clear with the band and their representatives about our expectations," the spokesperson said. Following the Glastonbury controversy, Bob Vylan said they had been "targeted for speaking up". An Instagram post said: "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 are a distraction from the story and whatever sanctions we receive will be a distraction." Other artists have come out in support of the band, including Massive Attack and Brian Eno, claiming they have been subjected to "aggressive, vexatious campaigns" by pro-Israel advocates. Follow BBC Cornwall on X, Facebook and Instagram. Send your story ideas to spotlight@ More on this story Bob Vylan: Who are the controversial rap-punk duo? BBC senior staff told to 'step back' from duties following row Bob Vylan dropped from Manchester music festival Bob Vylan coverage should have been pulled, BBC says Council investigating Boardmasters crowd surges Related internet links Cornwall Council Solve the daily Crossword
BBC News
2 hours ago
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Calls to ban Bob Vylan from Boardmasters festival in Newquay
Hundreds of people have called upon Cornwall councillors to ban a controversial punk-rap duo from appearing at the Boardmasters Vylan sparked controversy after leading anti-Israeli military chants at Glastonbury Festival during a televised performance in Council agreed to hold a licensing hearing following a public complaint, but not until after the band has appeared at the Newquay event on 10 August. It has since received almost 300 complaints in a "concerted campaign", says councillor Dulcie Tudor, with many understood to have come from outside the county.A Boardmasters spokesperson said the festival did not "tolerate hate speech" or "incitement to violence". Ms Tudor added: "It's more than the most-controversial planning application."Despite pressure on the council to bring the licensing hearing forward, it said it was unable to do so because of licensing hearing regulations, including a 20-day consultation Leigh Frost, the council leader, said he would respond to every person who had contacted him, to thank them for "raising concerns" and would invite them to contribute to the licence review. What happened at Glastonbury? Bob Vylan were appearing on one of Glastonbury's main stages, the West Holts Stage, on the afternoon of Saturday, 28 London-based band led audience chants of "death, death to the IDF [Israel Defence Forces]" and made other derogatory comments during their Glastonbury performance, as well as making other highly critical comments about the situation in the region and about led to questions in Parliament, condemnation from the prime minister, and a public apology from the BBC, which said it should have cut the television band has also had their US visas revoked and other tour dates Ed Abrahamson, who made the original complaint to the council, said Bob Vylan had been "cancelled by every single festival worldwide, by their own agents and they are under active investigation by the UK anti-terrorist force".He asked the council to intervene to revoke the band's right to Abrahamson said: "Or are we going to see young Cornish people exposed and encouraged to join in with murderous chants?" According to the council's licensing department, the only organisation with the power to intervene is Devon and Cornwall Police. However, the force has previously said decisions about who performs at the festival are down to the festival's organisers.A police spokesperson said: "Our priority is the safety of those attending, those working at the event and the local communities, and we will take proportionate action in relation to reported crimes or incidents."We look forward to welcoming Boardmasters back to Cornwall in August." A Boardmasters spokesperson said the festival did not "tolerate hate speech, incitement to violence or behaviour that puts anyone at risk"."Boardmasters is committed to being a space where people from all backgrounds feel welcome and safe," they festival said its decision to proceed with the performance reflected "a balance of factors"."We have been clear with the band and their representatives about our expectations," the spokesperson the Glastonbury controversy, Bob Vylan said they had been "targeted for speaking up". An Instagram post said: "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 are a distraction from the story and whatever sanctions we receive will be a distraction."Other artists have come out in support of the band, including Massive Attack and Brian Eno, claiming they have been subjected to "aggressive, vexatious campaigns" by pro-Israel advocates.
BBC News
3 hours ago
- Politics
- BBC News
Council calls on government to make Cornwall 'fifth UK nation'
Cornwall Council has voted for the county to be officially refinished as the fifth nation of the United Kingdom, to put it on a par with the other Celtic leader Leigh Frost said the proposal would lead to fairer funding, stronger representation and a seat at the table in national said: "We're making this case for better funding and representation, and for a stronger place in the union which we have contributed to for centuries. "It's time to show what Cornwall is made of." The proposal, brought forward by council member Dick Cole, leader of local political party Mebyon Kernow, follows the publication of 2025 State of Cornwall report, which set out the challenges and opportunities the county was said the county was struggling with "low wages, high house prices and a housing crisis that pushes young families out of their home towns".He also highlighted "a social care system stretched to its limits, public transport that struggles to work for working people, [and] children growing up in poverty while second homes are empty for most of the year". The proposal passed on Monday by 53 votes to 22, with two the majority of Reform UK councillors voted against, citing concerns over possible tax increases and a loss of British Local Democracy Reporting Service reported that Reform member Rowland O'Connor said: "I identify as Cornish but also as British. "It feels like I'm being asked to choose one or the other and I refuse to do that."However, Frost called that argument "a nonsense", adding: "I'm British and I'm very proud to be British, but I'm also proud to be Cornish."Frost told the BBC that Cornwall had existed longer than England and Cornish people were recognised as a national Cornish have been officially recognised as a national minority since said the proposal would allow more decisions to be taken in the county and could lead to more tax revenue being kept there council is planning to write to the prime minister and deputy prime minister, and begin building support among MPs for Cornwall's recognition.
BBC News
10 hours ago
- General
- BBC News
Seal campaigners welcome voluntary flying ring ban in Cornwall
Wildlife campaigners have welcomed a voluntary ban by Cornwall Council on plastic flying rings to protect the county's member Rosie Moore proposed the voluntary ban on the sale, purchase and use of such rings, which was passed unanimously by the council on ban follows similar moves by other councils across England and Wales, as well as retailers such as Tesco and Sainsbury's volunteering to stop selling the toys, which can cause fatal injuries to said she was "absolutely delighted" with the decision, which would protect marine wildlife from "horrendous" injuries. As the ban is voluntary, shopkeepers and beachgoers will not face fines or other penalties for breaking Moore said areas such as Swansea that had implemented similar voluntary bans had seen a "really positive uptake".She said people were "really horrified" when they found out about the dangers of flying rings to animals if they got caught in them. She said: "No-one really wants to see animal in pain or hurt of suffering." Moore said seals often became trapped in the toy rings, sometimes around their necks, which cut into their skin and could cause fatal said seals, as well as dolphins, manatees and other marine animals, saw rings as toys, but "once it's down their neck, it's like a deadly trap".She said seals elongated their necks to feed, so, when they retracted their necks back, the pressure of the water forced the ring "solid on seal's neck".The injuries were fatal for most seals, she said, but even when they could be saved rehabilitating them could cost up to £15,000 each. Moore said the next steps after the vote would include contacting local businesses to ask them to discontinue offering the products, as well as putting posters on beaches to educate said she hoped the Cornish ban would put pressure on the government to introduce nationwide online petition to ban the rings, launched in May, has gathered more than 42,000 Sayer MBE, Seal Research Trust founder, said Cornwall Council had "always been pioneers for the environment because our seascapes are Cornwall's greatest asset".She said safer alternatives, such as wildlife-safe solid disc toys, were available, adding: "We are not spoiling people's fun or taking away trade from retailers, quite the opposite."A spokesperson from the Cornish Seal Sanctuary said it "strongly supported" the voluntary said: "Over the years, our animal care team has witnessed first-hand the devastating consequences these toys can have on seals."Despite our efforts to treat and rehabilitate injured seals, prevention is always better than cure."
ITV News
21 hours ago
- Entertainment
- ITV News
Boardmasters confirm Bob Vylan will appear despite campaign for the group to be banned
Organisers of the Boardmasters festival insist Bob Vylan will remain part of their line up despite a growing campaign calling for the group to be banned. Hundreds of people have written to Cornwall Council, the licencing authority for the festival, asking them to stop the band from taking to the stage. The band hit the headlines when they chanted 'death to the IDF [Israel Defence Forces]' during a televised appearance at Glastonbury festival. In a statement to ITV West Country, the festival organisers confirmed that the band will still be appearing on the main stage. The statement said: 'Following productive meetings with Devon & Cornwall Police and relevant partners from our Safety Advisory Group, we now have an agreed plan in place that ensures the event continues to meet the highest standards of safety, compliance, and community accountability. 'Boardmasters is committed to being a space where people from all backgrounds feel welcome and safe. We do not tolerate hate speech, incitement to violence, or behaviour that puts anyone at risk, and we will continue to uphold these principles throughout the event and beyond. 'Our decision to proceed with the performance reflects a balance of factors, including the festival's careful consideration of recent concerns, our ongoing dialogue with stakeholders, and the band's agreement to the terms of their participation. 'We have been clear with the band and their representatives about our expectations particularly the importance of maintaining a respectful and safe environment for everyone attending, working at, or involved in the festival. 'Boardmasters remains focused on delivering a safe, respectful, and well-managed event.' The council is due to hold a licensing hearing after a member of the public wrote to the authority on July 16 demanding a review of the festival in light of the band's appearance. However, due to legal timeframes the hearing won't be held until after the festival takes place. Dr Ed Abrahamson said in his submission to the council: 'I'm writing to urge that you review the licence for Boardmasters in terms of conditionality regarding the stepping down of Bob Vylan. 'As you will see, they have now been cancelled by every single festival worldwide, by their own agents and they are under active investigation by the UK anti-terrorist force. 'As it stands, the sole venue that is platforming them globally is going to be Boardmasters at Newquay [the band announced three September dates in the Netherlands on the same day Dr Abrahamson wrote to the council]. You are the licence holders for this event.' Councillors on Cornwall Council are understood to have been inundated with emails from members of the public asking them to intervene. Cllr Dulcie Tudor said: 'It's got to be the most concerted campaign I've seen since being on the council. It's more than the most controversial planning application.' Council leader Cllr Leigh Frost has said he will respond to every person who has contacted him on this issue with the following statement: 'Thank you for raising your concerns regarding this year's Boardmasters festival. Cornwall Council has received an application to review the event's premises licence. You may wish to add your views to the current licence review. 'This can be done by emailing licensing@ You may also do so by writing to the Licensing Team, Cornwall Council, New County Hall, Truro TR1 3AY. Within your representation please state how you feel the current licence compromises the licensing objectives. Please ensure that representations are received by the Licensing Team by August 7, 2025. 'Cornwall Council will proceed with the review in line with the national legislation and guidance. You may also wish to raise your concerns directly with Devon and Cornwall Police.' Despite pressure on the council to bring the licensing hearing forward before next month's Boardmasters, it is unable to do so due to licensing hearing regulations. There are specific time periods from the point when the application is made and accepted to when a hearing has to take place. That time period includes a 20 working days consultation period with police, environmental health, health and safety, planning enforcement and children's services. That means it will fall after Bob Vylan have performed. According to the council's licensing department, the only organisation that has the power to intervene is Devon and Cornwall Police. However, the force has previously stated that decisions about who performs at the festival are down to the Boardmasters organisers and not Devon and Cornwall Police.
