Andrew Doyle: ‘If you support freedom of speech, you have to support people's right to say the things you don't much want to hear'
Derry writer and commentator Andrew Doyle talks about his new book, The End of Woke, why old-fashioned liberalism needs to make a comeback, and writing a sitcom with Graham Linehan
'I've seen people getting very, very angry about the cancellation of Kneecap,' says Andrew Doyle, the Derry-born writer, political commentator and satirist. 'These are the same people who have called for similar cancellations of others.
'And I'd like to think they would realise that they've sowed the seeds of that by pushing for cancellations when they don't approve [of something] — or whatever it might be. But I'm not sure they've really grasped the hypocrisy.'
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Scotsman
27 minutes ago
- Scotsman
Glastonbury 2025: BBC breaks silence on Bob Vylan coverage
Bob Vylan's set proved to be controversial - and the BBC has broken its silence on its coverage 🚨 Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Punk duo Bob Vylan caused a stir at Glastonbury 2025. The group led anti-Israel chants during their set on Saturday. BBC has now issued a statement on the coverage. In the build up to Glastonbury 2025, Kneecap were the group drawing the pre-emptive backlash. The trio's set was not broadcast live on the BBC's iPlayer stream However it was the act that took to the stage before the Irish hip-hop group that caused the biggest stir of the weekend. Punk rock duo Bob Vylan led the crowd in pro-Palestine and anti-Israel chants during their performance on the West Holts stage on Saturday (June 28). Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Viewers have been divided, with many praising the rockers on social media - while others have accused them of anti-semitism. The BBC has come under a lot of flak for not pulling the live stream at the weekend. The broadcaster has now broken its silence over the incident - and admitted it had 'regret' around the coverage. Here's all you need to know: What happened during Bob Vylan's set at Glastonbury? Punk duo Bob Vylan caused controversy with their Glastonbury 2025 set. | AFP via Getty Images The punk rock duo from London - who perform under the stage names Bobby Vylan and Bobbie Vylan - initially led the crowd at the West Holts in a chant of 'Free, Free Palestine'. During the live stream numerous Palestinian flags could be seen in the audience. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The singer then said: 'But have you heard this one though. Death, Death to the IDF'. It is in reference to the Israeli Defence Force, the national military of Israel. It led to backlash on social media, with one figure comparing it to a 'Nazi rally'. Many other users praised them, with one writing: 'We love you from GAZA, Bob Vylan.' Sir Keir Starmer however called the chant 'appalling'. Glastonbury said the chants 'crossed a line'. Responding on Instagram, Bob Vylan's official account wrote: 'I said what I said.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad BBC breaks silence and admits 'regret' The BBC's live stream of Bob Vylan's performance was not curtailed as it aired, but has not been made available on catch-up. In contrast to Kneecap's which was not broadcast live and is not on streaming. On Monday (June 30), the BBC broke its silence and issued a statement. It read: 'Millions of people tuned in to enjoy Glastonbury this weekend across the BBC's output but one performance within our livestreams included comments that were deeply offensive. The BBC respects freedom of expression but stands firmly against incitement to violence.' It continued: "The performance was part of a live stream of the West Holts stage on BBC iPlayer. 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. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad "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." If you love TV, check out our Screen Babble podcast to get the latest in TV and film.
Rhyl Journal
43 minutes ago
- Rhyl Journal
BBC regrets not pulling Bob Vylan Glastonbury live stream
The corporation has come under fire after rapper Bobby Vylan – of the rap punk duo – led crowds at the festival's West Holts Stage in chants of 'free, free Palestine' and 'death, death to the IDF (Israel Defence Forces)'. Following the performance, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer criticised the chants as 'appalling hate speech' and on Monday broadcasting regulator Ofcom said it is 'very concerned' about the live stream. 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 livestreams included comments that were deeply offensive. 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 performance was part of a live stream of the West Holts stage on BBC iPlayer. '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.' The BBC said that in light of the performance, they would be looking at their guidance around live events so 'we can be sure teams are clear on when it is acceptable to keep output on air'. A post shared by Glastonbury Festival (@glastofest) Ofcom said in its statement that the BBC 'clearly has questions to answer', adding: '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.' Avon and Somerset Police said at the weekend that they are assessing videos of comments made by Bob Vylan and Belfast rap trio Kneecap at Glastonbury to decide whether any offences may have been committed. A member of Kneecap, who performed on the West Holts stage in the slot directly after Bob Vylan, suggested fans 'start a riot' at his bandmate's forthcoming court appearance related to a terrorism charge. In addition, during their performance, a member of Kneecap also said 'f*** Keir Starmer' on stage after the Prime Minister called for the band not to play at the festival. Glastonbury Festival itself also condemned the chants by Bob Vylan, saying in a statement on Sunday they were 'appalled by the statements' made on stage. A statement on Instagram said: 'Their 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.' Bob Vylan, who formed in Ipswich in 2017, have released four albums addressing issues to do with racism, masculinity and class. Bobby Vylan's real name is Pascal Robinson-Foster, 34, according to reports. In a statement posted to Instagram, Vylan said: '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. 'As 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.'
North Wales Chronicle
an hour ago
- North Wales Chronicle
Acts who made political statements at Glastonbury 2025
The BBC has since expressed regret at not pulling its live-stream of the duo's performance at the West Holts stage on Saturday, saying the 'antisemitic sentiments' expressed by the group were 'utterly unacceptable'. Since Glastonbury was founded more than 50 years ago, many artists have used their platform at the ever-growing event to make political statements. Here are some of the acts who shared their views with audiences at this year's festival at Worthy Farm: – Kneecap The Irish rap group led Glastonbury crowds in chants of 'f*** Keir Starmer' during their set at the festival on Saturday. The group, who hail from Belfast, have been in the headlines after member Liam Og O hAnnaidh, who performs under the name Mo Chara, was charged with a terror offence. Member Naoise O Caireallain, who performs under the name Moglai Bap, said during their set: 'The Prime Minister of your country, not mine, said he didn't want us to play, so f*** Keir Starmer.' He also said a 'big thank you to the Eavis family', adding the festival organisers 'stood strong' amid calls for Kneecap to be dropped from the line-up. The band also led crowds in chants of 'Free Palestine', with O hAnnaidh commenting on the sheer number of flags at the festival. The 27-year-old wore a keffiyeh during the set, while member JJ O Dochartaigh, who performs under the name DJ Provai, wore his signature tri-coloured balaclava and a T-shirt reading: 'We are all Palestine Action' in reference to the soon-to-be banned campaign group. – Sir Rod Stewart Sir Rod Stewart filled the tea-time legends slot on Sunday, where he performed alongside his former Faces bandmate Ronnie Wood, Simply Red's Mick Hucknall and Scottish singer Lulu. The 80-year-old singer, who called on Britain to 'give Nigel Farage a chance' in an interview with the Times on Saturday, dedicated a song to Ukraine while its war with Russia rages on. Ukrainian flags were shown on a screen behind Sir Rod, who said: 'There's been a lot about the Middle East recently, quite rightly so, but I want to draw your attention to Ukraine in the next song, it's called the Love Train.' The lyrics allude to a call for peace, as Sir Rod sang: 'People all over the world, join hands. Start the love train. The first stop that we make will be in England. Tell all the folks in Russia and China too. Don't you know that it's time to get on board?' – Jade Former Little Mix star Jade Thirwall took to the Woodsies stage on Saturday and got fans to join in during her perfomance of her record FUFN (F*** You For Now). 'I'm sure there are so many people who would love to say f*** you, so I want you all to put your middle fingers up in the air,' she told crowds. She encouraged her audience to join her in a call and response, where she said things she dislikes and they responded 'f*** you', including a jibe at Mr Farage's Reform UK party. 'Like low battery, smelly toilets, Reform, welfare cuts, transphobia, silencing protests, selling arms, justifying genocide,' Jade called out. – Black Country, New Road The indie-folk band played the Woodsies stage on Sunday, with vocalist and bassist Tyler Hyde taking centre stage wearing a Palestine flag T-shirt. The six-piece from Cambridge also had a flag draped over their keyboard, and during their set Hyde said 'Free Palestine' and led the audience in chants of 'Free, free Palestine'. – Wolf Alice Later on Sunday, singer Ellie Rowsell told the crowd watching the Mercury-winning indie band at the Other Stage: 'Whilst we have the stage for just a little bit longer, we want to express our solidarity with the people of Palestine. 'No one should ever be afraid to do that. 'We love you all, and we will see you out on the field.'
