On-screen warnings on Bob Vylan set ‘not good enough' says minister
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has said there is 'no excuse' for the chanting, and the corporation said it showed a warning during the set's stream about the 'very strong and discriminatory language'.
The Bob Vylan set was shown live on an iPlayer stream.
Baroness Jacqui Smith was asked on Times Radio whether she thought the BBC has a bias.
She told the station: 'I don't think the BBC has a bias, but I think it made a mistake here.
'It's not good enough simply to say on screen that, you know, 'this is dodgy language'.
'It was far beyond that, and it shouldn't have been broadcast live. And I think it would have been possible for the BBC to stop that.'
The education minister also told Sky that she was 'surprised' that the BBC continued broadcasting the set.
Bob Vylan's performance on the West Holts Stage on Saturday drew significant criticism (Yui Mok/PA)
Over the weekend, the BBC said that viewers would not be able to access the performance on demand.
A spokesperson for the broadcaster said: 'Some of the comments made during Bob Vylan's set were deeply offensive.
'During this live stream on iPlayer, which reflected what was happening on stage, a warning was issued on screen about the very strong and discriminatory language.'
Kneecap also performed on the West Holts Stage on Saturday (Yui Mok/PA)
A former BBC editor has said that the broadcaster should have the ability to 'cut the feed' whenever there 'is a hint of hate speech'.
Sir Craig Oliver – who also served as director of communications for Lord David Cameron in Downing Street – told Radio 4's Today programme: 'I suspect at next year's Glastonbury there's going to have to be a senior editorial figure who does understand the sensitivities and is going to cut the feed.'
Sir Keir Starmer led the criticism from across the political spectrum over the weekend, and also referenced Belfast rap trip Kneecap, who had faced calls to be cut from the festival after a member was charged with a terror offence.
The performer led crowds on the festival's West Holts Stage in chants of 'death, death to the IDF' (Yui Mok/PA)
Responding to the chants from Bob Vylan, the Prime Minister said: 'There is no excuse for this kind of appalling hate speech.
'I said that Kneecap should not be given a platform and that goes for any other performers making threats or inciting violence.
'The BBC needs to explain how these scenes came to be broadcast.'
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.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Wales Online
34 minutes ago
- Wales Online
Vernon Kay misses BBC Radio 2 show after getting ‘trapped' on train
Vernon Kay misses BBC Radio 2 show after getting 'trapped' on train The 51-year-old was expected on air at 9.30am but said his train had broken down. Radio 2 chaos as VERNON KAY misses show as he's trapped on hot train (Image: Instagram ) BBC Radio 2 presenter Vernon Kay has missed his Tuesday morning show after becoming "trapped" on a train. The 51-year-old was expected on air at 9.30am but said his train had broken down. At 11.40am he confirmed his train was still stuck and he would miss the entire show. Sara Cox, who was presenting Scott Mills' breakfast show on the station, initially stayed on to cover for Kay. Posting on his Instagram story, Kay said the "train isn't training!!" and asked Cox to "hang fire". Cox, who like Kay is from Bolton in Greater Manchester, told the BBC Radio 2 audience: "Oh no, I've just realised I'm not gonna be in time for reformer Pilates. Article continues below "If you just joined in and you're thinking Vernon is sounding a little extra-manly today, don't worry. "It's me: Sara, from the same area obviously, though famously. "Vernon, poor Vernon stuck on a hot, sweaty train with no coffee, no air-con, no deodorant. "So he's going to get in at some point, hopefully." Cox reassured listeners that veteran broadcaster Gary Davies would be filling in from 10am. When Davies took over, he said: "If you just tuned in and wondering were Vernon is, he was on his train like usual and the train broke down and so he has been in sweltering hot heat and they had to send a rescue train which also broke down." Parts of England face a heatwave with temperatures in London expected to reach 34C on Tuesday, according to the Met Office. Davies also played two voice notes on air from Kay where listeners could hear him thanking the presenter for covering the show and calling him a "gentleman". Kay later confirmed he would miss the entire show, telling Davies: "Well, what a morning! We're at Wembley Station now, we've gone backwards. "But I'm going to miss you, we're not going to get there 'til after 12 so there's no point." Former BBC Radio 2 presenter Ken Bruce appeared to have had a similar issue after his train broke down on Tuesday. Posting on X, the DJ apologised to his followers, adding that he would be late to his Greatest Hits Radio show due to a broken down train. Article continues below Kay replaced Bruce on the BBC Radio 2 mid-morning weekday program in 2023.
Wales Online
34 minutes ago
- Wales Online
Bob Vylan claim they are being ‘targeted' for speaking up about Palestine
Bob Vylan claim they are being 'targeted' for speaking up about Palestine They were criticised after leading chants of "Death, death to the IDF (Israel Defence Forces)" during a livestreamed performance at the Somerset music festival Bob Vylan (Image: PA ) Punk rap duo Bob Vylan have said they are being "targeted for speaking up" after police began an investigation into comments made during their set at the Glastonbury Festival. They were criticised after leading chants of "Death, death to the IDF (Israel Defence Forces)" during a livestreamed performance at the Somerset music festival on Saturday afternoon. The BBC apologised after the set at the West Holts Stage was livestreamed, saying on Monday describing the chants were "antisemitic sentiments" that were "unacceptable". Bobby Vylan, one half of the British duo, also led his audience in chants that included "Free, free Palestine". Posting a statement on Instagram on Tuesday, captioned "Silence is not an option", the group said: "Today, a good many people would have you believe a punk band is the number one threat to world peace. "Last week it was a Palestine pressure group. The week before that it was another band." Article continues below Bob Vylan performed on the West Holts Stage slot directly before Irish rap trip Kneecap, whose member Liam Og O hAnnaidh, also known as Mo Chara, appeared in court in June charged with a terror offence. Kneecap also led the Glastonbury audience in "Free Palestine" chants, and on Monday Avon and Somerset Police said it had launched a probe into both performances after reviewing video footage and audio recordings. The Bob Vylan statement continued: "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." The statement added: "We, like those in the spotlight before us, are not the story. "We are a distraction from the story. And whatever sanctions we receive will be a distraction. "The Government doesn't want us to ask why they remain silent in the face of this atrocity? To ask why they aren't doing more to stop the killing? To feed the starving? "The more time they talk about Bob Vylan the less time they spend answering for their criminal inaction. "We are being targeted for speaking up. We are not the first, we will not be the last, and if you care for the sanctity of human life and freedom of speech, we urge you to speak up too." Avon and Somerset Police said it had launched a probe into both the Bob Vylan and Kneecap performances, 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." The BBC has faced strong criticism for continuing to livestream the Bob Vylan performance on iPlayer with on-screen warnings about discriminatory language. It has since been revealed that BBC director-general Tim Davie was at Glastonbury when the pro-Palestine chants were broadcast. A BBC spokesperson said: "The 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." Bob Vylan have now been banned from the US, where they were due to tour in autumn with performances in Chicago, Brooklyn and Philadelphia. US deputy secretary of state Christopher Landau said the duo's visas were revoked for their "hateful tirade at Glastonbury". Article continues below Bobby Vylan is the stage name of Pascal Robinson-Foster, 34, according to reports, while his bandmate drummer uses the alias Bobbie Vylan. The group was formed in Ipswich in 2017, and are known for addressing political issues in their albums including racism, masculinity and class. The group are expected to perform at Radar Festival in Manchester on Saturday and at the Boardmasters surfing and music festival in Newquay, Cornwall in August.
Scottish Sun
37 minutes ago
- Scottish Sun
Balamory legend confirms return to reboot of classic BBC series
The star previously said the reboot was 'bigger news than the Oasis reunion' A BALAMORY legend has confirmed their return for the reboot of the classic BBC series. The children's TV series originally aired on the BBC from 2002 to 2005, with 253 episodes being made across four series. 5 A Balamory legend has confirmed their return for the reboot of the BBC series Credit: BBC 5 The children's TV series originally aired on the BBC from 2002 to 2005 Credit: BBC 5 Former stars Andrew Agnew and Julie Wilson Nimmo spoke about the reboot last year Credit: Rex In September last year, the BBC confirmed the show would be returning for a new generation of kiddies in 2026. Speculation was immediately rife over whether original stars including Miles Jupp, Andrew Agnew and Julie Wilson Nimmo would return as their iconic characters. Andrew told the Lunchtime Live programme at the time: "If they ask me to go back then I'll absolutely be there with bells on, I'm sure. "But at the moment we're all just getting excited at the fact that it's happening. "I don't think it would be same if we weren't involved in it." And it seems BBC bosses agreed, as Julie has now confirmed she is returning as Miss Hoolie. A fan of the show asked: "Are you going to be in Balamory reboot?" and Julie replied with a simple: "Yup". Julie had previously admitted the show's return was "the craziest and best news ever" in an interview with the Daily Record. And she quipped: "I seriously think this is bigger than the Oasis reunion." A total of 20 14-minute episodes have been ordered to air throughout 2026 on CBeebies. Julie Wilson Nimmo plays Miss Hoolie in CBeebies series Balamory Kate Morton, the channel's head of commissioning said: 'A whole new generation will discover and enjoy Balamory as we bring families together with this new update for CBeebies. "It will be a real treat for parents who grew up with the show to now introduce their little ones to the brightly coloured world getting to know a host of old and new characters together.' 5 Now Julie has confirmed she will be back as Miss Hoolie Credit: BBC 5 The actress replied to a fan's question on Instagram about the reboot Balamory is available on BBC iPlayer.
