LIVE: BBC bosses 'should be charged for screening Glastonbury death to IDF chants'
by LBC · LBCLive
Calls are growing for charges to be brought against the BBC after two acts led anti-Israel chants at Glastonbury.
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Rapper Bobby Vylan, of rap punk duo Bob Vylan, on Saturday led crowds on the festival’s West Holts Stage in chants of “Free, free Palestine” and “Death, death to the IDF (Israel Defence Forces)”.
Read in full: BBC 'should face charges’ over broadcast of Glastonbury IDF chant
LBC opinion: The BBC have acted appallingly again
A member of Belfast rap trio Kneecap suggested fans “start a riot” at his bandmate’s forthcoming court appearance related to a terrorism charge.
Follow the latest developments on this story LIVE
Live coverage ends
We are ending our rolling coverage of the Glastonbury anti-Semitism storm.
Read full coverage:
Bob Vylan 'dropped by agents' after 'death of the IDF' Glastonbury chant
Trump 'considers canceling Bob Vylan's US visas' following 'death to the IDF' Glastonbury chant
BBC admits Glastonbury live stream should have been pulled
Asher McShane
Sadiq Khan: 'Jewish people don't feel safe'
Sir Sadiq Khan told LBC it's "important for BBC to reflect on what they got wrong and make sure it doesn't happen again."
He said it's clear Jewish people feel unsafe and "we can't pretend that's not their experience".
Sir Sadiq added that "it's possible to be critical - as I am - of [Benjamin] Netanyahu and IDF while recognising Jewish people feel very scared and distinguish between them."
He called for the BBC to answer questions, adding that "they've provided a platform for these sorts of messages to be amplified."
Shannon Cook
The latest from No10: 'No excuse'
A No10 Spokesman said this afternoon there was “no excuse” for the “appalling hate speech” aired at Glastonbury.
“The BBC needs to explain how it came to be broadcast. We strongly condemn the comments by Bob Vylan.
“Any performers making threats or inciting violence should not be given a platform.” the spokesman said.
Asher McShane
Donald Trump considers cancelling Bob Vylan's US visas
US President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marc Rubio are said to be considering the cancellation of the rap duo's visas.
The pair were set to embark on a US tour latest this year, with 16 dates scheduled to take place across North America this Autumn.
Now, those shows appear to be under threat, with reports the administration has emphasised its zero tolerance stance on allowing entry to those who "support terrorists".
Danielle De Wolfe
Ofcom receives 150 complaints
The UK media regulator Ofcom says it has so far received around 150 complaints about Bob Vylan's performance.
The regulator added that complaints about BBC coverage should be directed to the BBC in the first instance.
Asher McShane
BBC 'regrets' it did not 'pull the live stream'
The BBC have released a statement admitting their "regret" that they did not pull the stream during the performance of Bob Vylan.
The statement continued: "The BBC respects freedom of expression but stands firmly against incitement to violence. The antisemitic sentiments expressed by Bob Vylan were utterly unacceptable and have no place on our airwaves.
"We welcome Glastonbury’s condemnation of the performance.
"The judgment on Saturday to issue a warning on screen while streaming online was in line with our editorial guidelines. In addition, we took the decision not to make the performance available on demand.
"The team were dealing with a live situation but with hindsight we should have pulled the stream during the performance. We regret this did not happen.
"In light of this weekend, we will look at our guidance around live events so we can be sure teams are clear on when it is acceptable to keep output on air."
Shannon Cook
Former Labour Culture Secretary: 'The BBC should have cut it off'
Former Labour Culture Secretary Sir Ben Bradshaw told LBC that while it's "impossible to totally police these things", the BBC should "clearly think much more carefully".
He suggested the festival should think about hiring a senior political producer at Glastonbury next year.
"These punk bands - their whole purpose is to provoke. People will get het up about it, but it's a serious issue and that was inappropriate. There should have been a view to cut that off."
He added that the culture secretary will be asking for an explanation from the BBC and why they didn't have plans in place to deal with it.
Shannon Cook
Ofcom says BBC 'has questions to answer'
The broadcasting regulator released a statement, which expressed their concerns about the live stream of the performance, adding that "the BBC clearly has questions to answer".
Ofcom continued: "We have been speaking to the BBC over the weekend and we are obtaining further information as a matter of urgency, including what procedures were in place to ensure compliance with its own editorial guidelines."
Shannon Cook
Bobby Vylan posts social media statement following performance
Taking to Instagram following the performance, Bobby Vylan posted a lengthy statement, insisting: "I said what I said".
He explained the duo had been “inundated with messages of both support and hatred.”
He added that he was inspired by his daughter to speak out, who he brought on stage during their set.
“Teaching our children to speak up for the change they want and need is the only way that we make this world a better place,” he wrote.
“As we grow older and our fire possibly starts to dim under the suffocation of adult life and all its responsibilities, it is incredibly important that we encourage and inspire future generations to pick up the torch that was passed to us.
"Let us display to them loudly and visibly the right thing to do when we want and need change. Let them see up marching in the streets, campaigning on ground level, organising online and shouting about it on any and every stage that we are offered.
"Today it is a change in school dinners, tomorrow it is a change in foreign policy.”
Danielle De Wolfe
Who are Bob Vylan?
Bob Vylan, the duo being investigated by police for controversial anti-IDF chants at Glastonbury, is comprised of Bobby Vylan and Bobbie Vylan.
Formed in Ipswich in 2017, both members have largely kept their real names under wraps, with 'Bobby' now revealed as Pascal Robinson-Foster.
Their music is described as a mix of grime, punk and hard rock, with the pair's chants now being investigated by Avon and Somerset Police to see whether any offences may have been committed.
Danielle De Wolfe