Police are reviewing footage of chants by Glastonbury acts Bob Vylan and Kneecap for potential offenses.
The government condemned chants from rap duo Bob Vylan which were streamed live and called for "death" to the Israeli military.
Police Investigate Comments at Glastonbury Festival
Authorities in Somerset are currently reviewing remarks made by the rap punk duo Bob Vylan and the Irish-language rap group Kneecap during their performances at the Glastonbury Festival on Saturday. The comments, particularly those from Bob Vylan, have drawn significant attention and condemnation from various quarters.
Controversial Chants Spark Outrage
During their set, Bob Vylan led the crowd in chants calling for "death" to the Israeli military, which were broadcast live on the BBC. The rapper's statements included phrases such as "free, free Palestine" and "death, death to the IDF [Israel Defense Forces]." In response to the incident, a spokesperson for the BBC described some of the language used as "deeply offensive," noting that a warning about the "very strong and discriminatory language" had been displayed on screen. Consequently, the performance will not be available for rewatch on BBC iPlayer.
Government Response and Festival Statement
The Israeli Embassy expressed its concern over the "inflammatory and hateful rhetoric" displayed during the performance. In a statement, the Glastonbury Festival emphasized that it does not support hate speech or incitement to violence from its performers. Following the performance, a government spokesperson revealed that Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy had contacted BBC director general Tim Davie to seek an "urgent explanation" regarding the due diligence conducted by the broadcaster prior to airing the act. The government welcomed the decision to refrain from rebroadcasting the performance on BBC iPlayer.
Kneecap's Performance Under Scrutiny
Bob Vylan's performance on the West Holts stage was followed by Kneecap, a group that has recently made headlines due to legal issues involving one of its members. Rapper Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, known as Mo Chara, faces charges related to displaying the flag of the proscribed terrorist organization Hezbollah at a concert last year, a charge he has denied. The police have stated that they will review footage from the West Holts stage to determine if any offenses were committed that might warrant a criminal investigation.
Ongoing Review by Authorities
In light of the events, Avon and Somerset Police have announced that they will assess the footage of the comments made by both Bob Vylan and Kneecap. Officers will evaluate whether any statements made during the performances could lead to a criminal inquiry. The situation continues to develop as authorities gather more information regarding the incidents that occurred during the festival.