BBC breaks silence on Bob Vylan Glastonbury controversy as police launch 'assessment' over comments

WATCH HERE: Bob Vylan leads calls of "Death to the IDF" at Glastonbury

BBC
Alex Davies

By Alex Davies


Published: 28/06/2025

- 21:46

Updated: 28/06/2025

- 22:09

The punk act led calls of "Death to the IDF" during their Glastonbury set

The BBC has issued a statement following punk act Bob Vylan's controversial performance at this year's Glastonbury.

The statement comes just hours after Avon and Somerset Police announced it was examining video footage from the set to determine whether criminal offences were committed during the performance.


Kneecap's performance from the festival is also being assessed by police after the Irish rap trio sparked controversy with their on-stage comments.

The force posted on social media: "We are aware of the comments made by acts on the West Holts Stage at Glastonbury Festival this afternoon. Video evidence will be assessed by officers to determine whether any offences may have been committed that would require a criminal investigation."

The government has also condemned punk duo Bob Vylan's performance, during which they led festival-goers in chanting "Death to the IDF [Israeli Defence Forces]."

A government spokesperson said: "We strongly condemn the threatening comments made by Bob Vylan at Glastonbury.

Bob Vylan

The BBC has released a statement about Bob Vyla's Glastonbury performance

PA

"The Culture Secretary has spoken to the BBC Director General to seek an urgent explanation about what due diligence it carried out ahead of the Bob Vylan performance, and welcomes the decision not to re-broadcast it on BBC iPlayer."

Now, the BBC has made its stance clear on the matter after Bob Vylan's set was broadcast on its Glastonbury channels. “Some of the comments made during Bob Vylan’s set were deeply offensive," a BBC spokesperson began.

"During this live stream on iPlayer, which reflected what was happening on stage, a warning was issued on screen about the very strong and discriminatory language.

"We have no plans to make the performance available on demand.”

Bob Vylan

Bob Vylan led calls of "Death to the IDF" during his performance

PA

During their West Holts Stage performance, Bob Vylan displayed messages reading "Free Palestine United Nations have called it a genocide. The BBC calls it a 'conflict.'"

The London-based duo led crowds in chanting "Free, free Palestine" and "Death, death to the IDF", with singer Bobby Vylan concluding: "From the river to the sea Palestine must be, will be, free."

The band opened their set by expressing support for Kneecap, criticising attempts to prevent the Irish group from performing.

Bobby Vylan stated: "We are not pacifist punks here over at Bob Vylan Enterprises. We are the violent punks, because sometimes, you have to get your message across with violence because that is the only language some people speak."

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He also accused the UK and US of being "complicit in war crimes and genocide happening over there to the Palestinian people."

Irish rap trio Kneecap followed Bob Vylan on the West Holts Stage, where band member Naoise O Caireallain, who performs as Moglai Bap, suggested fans "start a riot outside the courts" in reference to his bandmate's upcoming court appearance.

He quickly clarified: "No riots just love and support, and support for Palestine."

The group led crowds in chanting "Free Palestine" whilst band member Liam Og O hAnnaidh, who performs as Mo Chara, wore a keffiyeh. DJ Provai wore a T-shirt reading "We are all Palestine Action".

Bob Vylan

Police are 'assessing' Bob Vylan's comments

PA

Caireallain addressed the Prime Minister directly during the performance, stating: "The Prime Minister of your country, not mine, said he didn't want us to play, so f*** Keir Starmer."

He thanked the Eavis family, saying "they stood strong" despite calls to remove the band from the line-up.

O hAnnaidh was charged with allegedly displaying a flag in support of proscribed terrorist organisation Hezbollah whilst saying "up Hamas, up Hezbollah" at a gig in November last year.

The 27-year-old appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court on June 18, where he was released on unconditional bail until his next hearing on August 20.

Avon and Somerset PoliceAvon and Somerset Police confirmed the news on social media X

The BBC had decided not to livestream Kneecap's performance, though confirmed it would likely be made available on-demand later.

Access to the West Holts Stage area was closed approximately 45 minutes before Kneecap's performance as crowds gathered with Irish and Palestinian flags.

News broadcasts criticising the Belfast trio played before they took the stage were booed by the audience.