Committee asks BBC boss for view on ‘what went wrong' with Glastonbury coverage
They led chants of 'Death, death to the IDF (Israel Defence Forces)' during their set on the West Holts Stage on Saturday, with the broadcaster providing on-screen warnings about discriminatory language on its platform.
It later apologised on Monday and said the chants held 'antisemitic sentiments' that were 'unacceptable'.
Irish rap trio Kneecap, who are also facing an Avon and Somerset Police investigation, appeared on the same stage directly after Bob Vylan and led the Glastonbury audience in 'Free Palestine' chants.
It has since been revealed that Tim Davie was at Glastonbury when the pro-Palestine chants were broadcast.
In a letter sent to Mr Davie by the Culture, Media and Sport Committee on Tuesday, chairwoman Dame Caroline Dinenage asked the BBC boss 12 questions after saying its coverage had caused 'widespread concern'.
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy previously said that 'several' editorial failures 'becomes a problem of leadership' during a statement on the BBC's coverage to the Commons.
It has since been revealed that Tim Davie, the BBC's director general, was at Glastonbury when Bob Vylan performed (Peter Byrne/PA)
Among the questions, Dame Caroline said: 'Before the festival started, did the BBC consider streaming all or part of its Glastonbury coverage with a short time delay, to allow room to respond to events if necessary?'
The Conservative MP went on to ask how many BBC staff and contractors were working at Glastonbury or on its coverage, if staff with the authority to cut Bob Vylan's live stream were present during their performance and whether ending the live stream was discussed mid-performance.
Dame Caroline then asked: 'At what level were the decisions made to not stream Kneecap live and to stream Bob Vylan live, but with a warning on screen?'
The letter asked if the BBC had a contingency plan for the event and who was responsible for forming and actioning the plan, before asking if the broadcaster would review its Editorial Guidelines and guidance for live output 'to ensure they are fit for live streaming'.
The Tory MP added: 'In summary, what is your personal assessment of what went wrong and what (are the) key lessons that the BBC will take away from the experience of live streaming Glastonbury 2025?'
Dame Caroline said she hoped for Mr Davie's response to the questions within two weeks.
Kneecap's performance at Glastonbury is also set to be investigated (Yui Mok/PA)
Avon and Somerset Police said it had launched a probe into both the Bob Vylan and Kneecap performances after reviewing video footage and audio recordings, with a senior detective appointed to lead the investigation.
A force spokesman said: 'This has been recorded as a public order incident at this time while our inquiries are at an early stage.
'The investigation will be evidence-led and will closely consider all appropriate legislation, including relating to hate crimes.'
In response to criticism of their performance on Tuesday, Bob Vylan said in a statement posted on Instagram that they were being 'targeted for speaking up' and that 'a good many people would have you believe a punk band is the number one threat to world peace.'
The statement said: 'We are not for the death of Jews, Arabs or any other race or group of people.
'We are for the dismantling of a violent military machine. A machine whose own soldiers were told to use 'unnecessary lethal force' against innocent civilians waiting for aid.
'A machine that has destroyed much of Gaza.'
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Kingsway from its junction with North Road to its junction with Duke Street . from its junction with to its junction with . Cowbridge Road East from its junction with Cathedral Road to its junction with Westgate Street . from its junction with to its junction with . Tudor Street from its junction with Clare Road to its junction with Wood Street (access for residents and traders will be permitted via Fitzhamon Embankment ). from its junction with to its junction with (access for residents and traders will be permitted via ). Plantagenet Street and Beauchamp Street from their junctions with Despenser Place to their junctions with Tudor Street (access for residents and traders will be permitted). and from their junctions with to their junctions with (access for residents and traders will be permitted). 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Ms Nandy said the incident at Worthy Farm had raised 'very, very serious questions at the highest levels of the BBC about the operational oversight and the way in which editorial standards are understood', adding that she wanted to see 'rapid action' from the broadcaster. Cabinet minister Jonathan Reynolds said the scenes at Glastonbury raised wider concerns about society. He told BBC Radio 4's Today: 'There are some lessons, I think, for broadcasters from this, but let's also not shy away from the issue, which is people in a crowd glorifying violence. 'I don't think it's something we'd associate with any music festival, but it's a wider societal problem.' He added:'It's possible, I think, to be completely concerned by the scenes in Gaza and not stray into the kind of behaviour and endorsement that we saw with that performance. 'And I'm deeply shocked to be honest, that people would even not realise what I think they're participating in when they do that.' Glastonbury Festival organisers also condemned Bob Vylan's chants, saying it was 'appalled' by what was said on stage, adding 'there is no place at Glastonbury for antisemitism, hate speech or incitement to violence'. 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: '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.'
