BBC bosses told to ‘get a grip quicker' after Bob Vylan launched into ‘death to IDF' chant at Glastonbury

The Sun

a day ago

BBC bosses have been told to 'get a grip quicker' after major controversies such as punk rap duo Bob Vylan's Glastonbury outrage, the regulator says.
Ofcom boss Dame Melanie Dawes insisted there is a risk the public lose faith in the corporation if coverage isn't pulled swiftly and investigations are lengthy.
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The broadcaster has apologised after the band's lead singer chanted 'death, death' to Israeli defence forces during their festival set last month.
The live stream of the performance continued for around 40 minutes after the remarks, with only an on-screen warning added before it was removed from iPlayer.
The BBC later conceded it 'should have pulled' the stream, prompting fierce criticism from across the political spectrum.
Bob Vylan has since been dropped by talent agency UTA, and Avon and Somerset Police have confirmed they are reviewing footage as part of a criminal investigation.
Beeb bosses have vowed not to broadcast live performances of "high risk" acts on the main channels or the iPlayer.
Dawes also spoke ahead of a review into a Gaza documentary where the teenage narrator was the son of a Hamas official.
The programme, which aired earlier this year, sparked accusations of bias and a lack of proper vetting — criticisms that, combined with the Glastonbury row, have intensified scrutiny of the BBC's editorial judgment.
She told the BBC: "I think it's very frustrating that the BBC has had some own goals in this area, with the Gaza documentary and then with the Glastonbury coverage, and it does start to erode public trust and confidence.
"I think I would say that, above all what frustrates me and others, is that when these things go wrong it can take a long time for the BBC to see that something's happened when everybody else was there within a matter of hours.
"So I would say to the BBC I think they need to get a grip quicker, get these reports and investigations concluded sooner, otherwise there is a real risk of a sort of loss of confidence in the BBC, which is a shame."
Fury as Glastonbury crowd chants 'death to the IDF' during Bob Vylan set aired live on BBC
The BBC did issue an apology after the Bob Vylan set saying it apologised for 'such offensive and deplorable behaviour'.
Critics argue the BBC failed to act decisively during the live broadcast, despite having dozens of staff on site at Glastonbury to monitor content.
The performance took place on the West Holts Stage, just ahead of another controversial act, Kneecap, whose own set was not shown live after security concerns were raised in advance.
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy contacted top BBC boss Tim Davie immediately after the controversial performance demanding answers.
Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp said BBC staff who let the broadcast go out should not be exempt from prosecution.
He has previously said the band must be investigated and prosecuted.
The incident has also raised comparisons to other recent high-profile cases, such as that of Lucy Connolly — the wife of a Conservative councillor who was jailed over tweets after a tragic murder case.
Some, including Philp, argue that failing to prosecute the rapper would expose a double standard in how hate speech laws are applied.
Avon and Somerset Police have launched a probe into comments made during the group's West Holts Stage performance at the Somerset festival.
The BBC has said: "We deeply regret that such offensive and deplorable behaviour appeared on the BBC and want to apologise to our viewers and listeners and in particular the Jewish community.
"We are also unequivocal that there can be no place for antisemitism at, or on, the BBC."
Rapper Bobby Vylan, one half of the duo, had also used the slogan 'from the river to the sea Palestine must be, will be, free.'
The fallout from the broadcast has reignited wider debates about the BBC's impartiality, especially around issues related to the Israel-Palestine conflict.
Senior figures, including former BBC executive Danny Cohen and members of the Culture Select Committee, have called for a full internal review led by BBC Chairman Samir Shah.
On the Gaza review, a BBC spokesperson said the findings will be published as soon as possible, adding: "It is vital that this work is done as quickly as possible, but it must also be thorough and follow a proper process."
MPs are expected to grill BBC executives on both incidents when they appear before Parliament in the coming weeks.
Critics say the broadcaster's slow response and lack of editorial oversight at live events now pose a serious threat to its reputation as an impartial public service.
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