UK police probe Kneecap, Bob Vylan Glastonbury sets

British police have launched a criminal investigation into Belfast rap trio Kneecap and Bob Vylan's performances at Glastonbury music festival over the weekend.

The police are investigating both groups over public order incidents, the police statement said.

Avon and Somerset Police said a criminal investigation was being undertaken after video footage and audio from Bob Vylan and Kneecap's performances at Glastonbury Festival were reviewed.

"Following the completion of that assessment process we have decided further inquiries are required and a criminal investigation is now being undertaken. A senior detective has been appointed to lead this investigation.

"This has been recorded as a public order incident at this time while our inquiries are at an early stage. The investigation will be evidence-led and will closely consider all appropriate legislation, including relating to hate crimes," police said in a statement.

Police said they received a large amount of contact in relation to the performances from "people across the world" adding that they "recognise the strength of public feeling".

"There is absolutely no place in society for hate," they said.

"Neighbourhood policing teams are speaking with people in their local communities and key stakeholders to make sure anyone who needs us knows that we are here for them. We hope the work we have carried out, and are continuing to carry out, reassures the public how seriously we are treating Saturday's events.

"We politely ask the public refrain from continuing to report this matter to us because an investigation is already taking place."

Bob Vylan, a London-based duo combining punk riffs and hip-hop delivery whose lyricism often tackles racism, led a chant of "Death to the IDF", the initials of the Israel Defense Forces, at the music festival.

The BBC said it "should have pulled" the live stream of Bob Vylan's performance which contained what it called "utterly unacceptable" and "anti-Semitic sentiments".

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has also condemned the chants.

The United States decided to revoke visas for members of Bob Vylan after they led chants during their set at Glastonbury.

"The @StateDept has revoked the US visas for the members of the Bob Vylan band in light of their hateful tirade at Glastonbury, including leading the crowd in death chants.

"Foreigners who glorify violence and hatred are not welcome visitors to our country," US Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau said in a post on X.

Bob Vylan's show on the festival's West Holts stage took place just before Kneecap played to a huge crowd, leading chants against Mr Starmer and also taking aim at Israel.

During the show, frontman Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh accused Israel of committing war crimes, saying: "There's no hiding it."

Another of the group's members - Móglaí Bap, otherwise known as Naoise Ó Cairealláin - told the crowd: "There's no f**king hiding it, Israel are war criminals."

UK broadcasting regulator Ofcom has said it is "very concerned" about the BBC live stream of Bob Vylan's Glastonbury performance, adding that the corporation "clearly has questions to answer".

In a statement, the BBC said: "Millions of people tuned in to enjoy Glastonbury this weekend across the BBC's output, but one performance within our live streams included comments that were deeply offensive.

"The BBC respects freedom of expression but stands firmly against incitement to violence.

"The anti-Semitic sentiments expressed by Bob Vylan were utterly unacceptable and have no place on our airwaves. We welcome Glastonbury's condemnation of the performance.

"The performance was part of a live stream of the West Holts stage on BBC iPlayer. The judgement 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."

Source: Press Association