{"id":227153,"date":"2025-06-30T17:24:11","date_gmt":"2025-06-30T17:24:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/227153\/"},"modified":"2025-06-30T17:24:11","modified_gmt":"2025-06-30T17:24:11","slug":"bbc-says-it-should-have-pulled-stream","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/227153\/","title":{"rendered":"BBC Says It ‘Should Have Pulled’ Stream"},"content":{"rendered":"

\n\tUPDATED:<\/strong> The BBC<\/a> has issued a statement regarding the controversy sparked by Bob Vylan<\/a>\u2018s Glastonbury<\/a> set on Saturday, with the broadcaster saying it \u201cshould have pulled\u201d the livestream of the performance. UTA has also dropped the band as a client, sources tell Variety, and an official criminal investigation has been launched in the U.K. Meanwhile, the punk-rap duo\u2019s U.S. visas have also been revoked, preventing them from touring there this fall.<\/p>\n

\n\tThe punk-rap duo led the crowd in several chants during their show on Saturday afternoon \u2014 right before Irish rap group Kneecap\u2019s highly anticipated set on the West Holts stage \u2014 including \u201cdeath, death to the IDF [Israel Defense Forces].\u201d <\/p>\n

\n\tWhile the BBC did not air Kneecap\u2019s performance after recent controversy over their political statements \u2014 leading to member Mo Chara recently being charged under the U.K.\u2019s Terrorism Act \u2014 Bob Vylan\u2019s set was shown live. In addition to the \u201cdeath to the IDF\u201d chant, Bob Vylan also led the crowd in chanting \u201cfree, free Palestine\u201d and \u201cfrom the river to the sea, Palestine must be free.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n\t\u201cThe 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,\u201d the BBC said on Monday. \u201cThe 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. 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.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n\tA police investigation has also been officially launched into both Bob Vylan and Kneecap\u2019s comments. An update from the Avon and Somerset Police on Monday reads in part: \u201cFollowing the completion of that assessment process we have decided further enquiries 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 enquiries are at an early stage. The investigation will be evidence-led and will closely consider all appropriate legislation, including relating to hate crimes.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n\tBob Vylan\u2019s U.S. visas were also revoked on Monday. U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau posted on X<\/a>: \u201cThe @StateDept has revoked the U.S. 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.\u201d The duo had planned to tour the U.S. in the fall.<\/p>\n

\n\tOn Sunday, Glastonbury organizers said they were \u201cappalled\u201d by Bob Vylan\u2019s statements. \u201cTheir chants very much crossed a line and we are urgently reminding everyone involved in the production of the festival that there is no place at Glastonbury for antisemitism, hate speech or incitement to violence,\u201d the festival said in a statement.<\/p>\n

\n\tLater on Sunday, lead singer Bobby Vylan put out a statement via Instagram<\/a> with the caption \u201cI said what I said,\u201d writing: \u201cIt 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 us marching in the streets, campaigning on ground level, organizing online and shouting about it on any and every stage that we are offered.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n\tRepresentatives for Bob Vylan did not immediately respond to Variety\u2018s request for comment on the BBC\u2019s statement.<\/p>\n

\n\tDeadline was the first to report the news about Bob Vylan being dropped by UTA.<\/p>\n