Police ‘assessing’ comments made by Kneecap and Bob Vylan after Glastonbury acts spark outrage with remarks
Avon and Somerset Police are examining video footage from Glastonbury Festival to determine if criminal offences were committed during performances by bands Bob Vylan and Kneecap on Saturday afternoon.
The force announced on social media: “We are aware of the comments made by acts on the West Holts Stage at Glastonbury Festival this afternoon.
“Video evidence will be assessed by officers to determine whether any offences may have been committed that would require a criminal investigation.”
The investigation centres on comments made by punk duo Bob Vylan and Irish rap trio Kneecap during their sets at the festival’s West Holts Stage.
Bob Vylan, who performed before Kneecap, led festival-goers in chanting “Free, Free Palestine” and “Death, Death to the IDF” during their performance.
The punk duo’s comments have drawn sharp criticism from the government. A government spokesperson stated: “We strongly condemn the threatening comments made by Bob Vylan at Glastonbury.”
The controversy has prompted immediate action from officials. According to the government spokesperson, “The Culture Secretary has spoken to the BBC Director General to seek an urgent explanation about what due diligence it carried out ahead of the Bob Vylan performance.”
The BBC has decided not to make Bob Vylan’s performance available on BBC iPlayer, a decision welcomed by the government.
During Kneecap’s subsequent performance, band member Naoise O Caireallain, who performs as Moglai Bap, directed an expletive at the Prime Minister.
“The Prime Minister of your country, not mine, said he didn’t want us to play, so f*** Keir Starmer,” O Caireallain told the crowd.
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The Irish rap trio also led festival-goers in chanting “Free Palestine” during their set.
Both performances took place on Saturday afternoon at the West Holts Stage, with the punk duo Bob Vylan performing immediately before Kneecap’s appearance.
The incidents have prompted police to review video evidence from both sets to assess whether criminal investigations are warranted.
The government’s condemnation of Bob Vylan’s comments has led to direct intervention at the highest levels of cultural administration.
The Culture Secretary contacted the BBC’s Director General to demand an urgent explanation regarding the broadcaster’s pre