By Anita Markoff
The BBC鈥檚 director-general was at Glastonbury Festival when Bob Vylan led chants of 鈥淒eath, death to the IDF (Israel Defence Forces)鈥 that were broadcast live. it is understood Tim Davie was on a visit to meet staff at the Somerset music event on Saturday afternoon and was informed after Bobby Vylan, one half of the British rap punk duo, led his audience in chants that also included 鈥淔ree, free Palestine鈥.The performance at the West Holts Stage was livestreamed by the BBC but the organisation later expressed regret for not stopping its broadcast of the 鈥渦nacceptable鈥 set.A BBC spokesperson said: 鈥淭he director-general was informed of the incident after the performance and at that point he was clear it should not feature in any other Glastonbury coverage.
The news of Mr Davie鈥檚 presence at the festival comes as the Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis berated the BBC for what he called 鈥渢he airing of vile Jew-hatred鈥 and the broadcaster鈥檚 鈥渂elated and mishandled response鈥.The corporation has faced strong criticism for continuing to livestream the performance on iPlayer with on-screen warnings about discriminatory language.Broadcasting regulator Ofcom saying it was 鈥渧ery concerned鈥 by the decision and the Culture Secretary claimed the issue should have been foreseeable and constituted 鈥渁 problem of leadership鈥 for the BBC.In a post on X, Sir Ephraim wrote: 鈥淭his is a time of national shame.鈥淭he airing of vile Jew-hatred at Glastonbury and the BBC鈥檚 belated and mishandled response, brings confidence in our national broadcaster鈥檚 ability to treat antisemitism seriously to a new low.鈥淚t should trouble all decent people that now, one need only couch their outright incitement to violence and hatred as edgy political commentary, for ordinary people to not only fail to see it for what it is, but also to cheer it, chant it and celebrate it.鈥淭oxic Jew-hatred is a threat to our entire society.鈥滻rish rap trio Kneecap, including member Liam Og O hAnnaidh who appeared in court earlier this month charged with a terror offence, took to the stage directly after Bob Vylan and led chants of 鈥淔ree Palestine鈥.On Monday, Avon and Somerset Police said it had launched a probe into both performances after reviewing video footage and audio recordings, with a senior detective appointed to lead the investigation.A police spokesman said: 鈥淭his has been recorded as a public order incident at this time while our inquiries are at an early stage.鈥淭he investigation will be evidence-led and will closely consider all appropriate legislation, including relating to hate crimes.鈥滻n a statement on Monday, the BBC said: 鈥淢illions of people tuned in to enjoy Glastonbury this weekend across the BBC鈥檚 output but one performance within our livestreams included comments that were deeply offensive.鈥淭he BBC respects freedom of expression but stands firmly against incitement to violence.鈥淭he antisemitic sentiments expressed by Bob Vylan were utterly unacceptable and have no place on our airwaves.鈥淲e welcome Glastonbury鈥檚 condemnation of the performance.鈥淭he performance was part of a livestream of the West Holts stage on BBC iPlayer.鈥淭he judgment on Saturday to issue a warning on screen while streaming online was in line with our editorial guidelines.鈥淚n addition, we took the decision not to make the performance available on demand.鈥淭he 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.鈥漊S deputy secretary of state Christopher Landau announced that Bob Vylan鈥檚 US visas had been revoked due to 鈥渢heir hateful tirade at Glastonbury鈥, with the duo scheduled to tour in Chicago, Brooklyn and Philadelphia in October.Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy told the Commons on Monday the Government was 鈥渆xasperated鈥 with the 鈥渓ack of account from the leadership鈥 at the BBC.Ms Nandy said the incident at Worthy Farm had raised 鈥渧ery, very serious questions at the highest levels of the BBC about the operational oversight and the way in which editorial standards are understood鈥, adding that she wanted to see 鈥渞apid action鈥 from the broadcaster.Glastonbury Festival organisers also condemned Bob Vylan鈥檚 chants, saying it was 鈥渁ppalled鈥 by what was said on stage, adding 鈥渢here is no place at Glastonbury for antisemitism, hate speech or incitement to violence鈥.Bob Vylan formed in Ipswich in 2017 and have released four albums addressing issues such as racism, masculinity and class.Bobby Vylan is the stage name of Pascal Robinson-Foster, 34, according to reports. His bandmate drummer uses the alias Bobbie Vylan.In a statement posted to Instagram, he said: 鈥淭eaching our children to speak up for the change they want and need is the only way that we make this world a better place.鈥淎s we grow older and our fire starts to possibly 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.鈥
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