Keir Starmer demands BBC Glastonbury explanation after MP accuses broadcaster of 'subjecting viewers to filth'

WATCH: BBC Faces Backlash After Pro-Palestine Singer Leads Controversial Chant During Glastonbury Broadcast

BBC
James Saunders

By James Saunders


Published: 29/06/2025

- 16:12

Updated: 29/06/2025

- 18:53

Rupert Lowe tabled a furious letter to Tim Davie on Sunday morning - and the Prime Minister went on to echo his demands to the BBC

BBC director-general Tim Davie has been handed a three-point ultimatum over the broadcaster's Glastonbury 2025 coverage by ex-Reform MP Rupert Lowe.

On Sunday morning, following days of controversy over a number of acts at the festival, Lowe revealed he had sent a letter to the BBC boss decrying how viewers are being subjected to "filth".


The Great Yarmouth MP said he harboured "deep concern" over the corporation's coverage, including that of acts including controversial Irish rap group Kneecap and pro-Palestine activist performers Bob Vylan.

He also urged Davie to take three steps to save the broadcaster from "furthering its reputation as a decaying monopoly".

Lowe was joined in his fury at the BBC by the Prime Minister.

"There is no excuse for this kind of appalling hate speech," Sir Keir Starmer said in an extraordinary intervention.

"I said that Kneecap should not be given a platform and that goes for any other performers making threats or inciting violence.

"The BBC needs to explain how these scenes came to be broadcast."

Tim Davie

Tim Davie has been handed a three-point ultimatum over the BBC's Glastonbury 2025 coverage

PA

Starmer

Sir Keir Starmer vowed 'the BBC needs to explain how these scenes came to be broadcast' in an extraordinary intervention

PA

"I am writing to express deep concern regarding the BBC's coverage of this year's Glastonbury Festival, specifically the broadcast of comments made on stage which appeared to incite violence, and other offensive remarks," Lowe wrote.

"It raises serious questions about your compliance with the BBC's legal and moral obligations.

"The BBC is not a private broadcaster. It is a public service institution funded by licence fee-payers of all political persuasions.

"Viewers do not expect, nor should they be subjected to, political propaganda or dangerous rhetoric.

"The BBC's continued association with Glastonbury in its current form risks furthering your reputation of a decaying monopoly."

MORE OUTRAGE AT GLASTONBURY 2025:

Rupert Lowe

Rupert Lowe wrote to Davie to 'express deep concern' over his broadcaster's Glastonbury coverage

PA

Lowe's three recommendations to the director-general are:

  • "Immediately review the editorial decisions that allowed this content to be aired";
  • "Issue a public apology to licence fee payers for the failure to prevent or edit out such material";
  • "Withdraw future BBC coverage of Glastonbury.Evidently, the event is not what it once was".

He continued: "I do not see why licence fee payers should be forced to support such blatant politicisation and filth.

"I look forward to your response and to seeing tangible steps taken to restore the BBC's reputation as a trustworthy and responsible broadcaster."

LATEST ON THE BBC:

Bob Vylan/Kneecap

Glastonbury 2025 has been marred by controversy over performances by Bob Vylan (left) and Kneecap (right)

PA

Just a few months ago, the now-independent MP called for the licence fee to be scrapped altogether after it emerged that it was looking to hire a "Head of Diversity" for a salary worth £125,000 - more than triple the median UK wage.

The broadcaster had sought to hire someone to develop and execute plans to "implement and deliver" its workforce's "diversity, inclusion and belonging strategy".

As a result, Lowe spat: "We must scrap the licence fee, make it a subscription service and let the people decide - suck the poison out."

GB News has approached the BBC for comment regarding the MP's letter on Sunday.