The head of the broadcasting regulator has said the BBC needs to "get a grip quicker" and complete reports and investigations sooner after controversies, including the controversial Glastonbury set by punk rap duo Bob Vylan.
The broadcaster apologised earlier this month for the "deplorable behaviour" of Bobby Vylan - the group's frontman and his real name reportedly being Pascal Robinson-Foster - when he led chants of "death to the IDF" (Israel Defence Force) with the set shown live on TV and the iPlayer.
The BBC also said it would no longer broadcast live performances which were deemed "high risk" - as Bob Vylan had been assessed - and its music director, Lorna Clarke, reportedly stepped back from her day-to-day duties.
On Sunday, Ofcom Chief Executive Dame Melanie Dawes said there could be a risk the BBC would lose public confidence after the regulator previously said the broadcaster has questions to answer over its Glastonbury coverage.
“I think it’s very frustrating that the BBC has had some own goals in this area, with the Gaza documentary and then with the Glastonbury coverage, and it does start to erode public trust and confidence," Dawes told the broadcaster.
“I think I would say that, above all what frustrates me and others, is that when these things go wrong it can take a long time for the BBC to see that something’s happened when everybody else was there within a matter of hours."
She added that she "would say to the BBC I think they need to get a grip quicker, get these reports and investigations concluded sooner".
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:
Bob Vylan at GlastonburyGETTYThe broadcaster apologised after the Bob Vylan set, saying "we deeply regret that such offensive and deplorable behaviour appeared on the BBC".
It also issued an apology to "our viewers and listeners and in particular the Jewish community".
Ofcom Chief Executive Dame Melanie Dawes
PRESS ASSOCIATION“We are also unequivocal that there can be no place for antisemitism at, or on, the BBC," the BBC said.
The broadcaster continued, admitting there were “clear that errors were made” as it set out the timeline of the decisions made over its broadcast, adding: “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 livestreaming with appropriate mitigations.
“Prior to Glastonbury, a decision was taken that compliance risks could be mitigated in real time on the livestream – through the use of language or content warnings – without the need for a delay. This was clearly not the case.”
The BBC said that “given the failings that have been acknowledged" it was taking actions to ensure proper accountability for those found to be responsible for the live broadcast.
“Any music performances deemed high risk will now not be broadcast live or streamed live," it continued.
Avon and Somerset Police have also launched an investigation into the comments made during the group’s performance.
The group was already under a police investigation for comments made at a concert a month before the festival.
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 group released a statement claiming they were being “targeted for speaking up” after the second police investigation was announced.
Bob Vylan were formed in 2017 and are known for addressing political issues in their music.