By M10News Entertainment Desk | Copyright © M10News 2025
The BBC is facing growing pressure to cut ties with Glastonbury Festival after airing footage of a performer chanting “death to the IDF” during this year’s event.
Former Reform UK MP Rupert Lowe has written to BBC Director-General Tim Davie, demanding the broadcaster apologise and withdraw from covering the world-famous music festival in future, accusing the corporation of promoting “blatant politicisation and filth.”
The backlash centres on footage of London duo Bob Vylan, broadcast live on BBC iPlayer, in which one of the performers led chants of “free, free Palestine” and “death, death to the IDF” before crowdsurfing in front of a stage sign calling Israel’s military action in Gaza a “genocide.”
In a separate performance, Irish hip-hop trio Kneecap reportedly urged the crowd to “riot” ahead of a court appearance for one of its members, who faces a terrorism-related charge. Kneecap’s set was not aired by the BBC.
In his letter, Mr Lowe said he was “deeply concerned” by the decision to air Bob Vylan’s performance, adding: “Viewers do not expect, nor should they be subjected to, political propaganda or dangerous rhetoric.”
He called for the BBC to review its editorial processes, issue a public apology, and end its involvement with Glastonbury.
“I do not see why licence fee payers should be forced to support such blatant politicisation and filth,” Mr Lowe wrote.
The row has also prompted questions from government ministers. Health Secretary Wes Streeting told Sky News this morning that while he was unsure of the operational challenges involved in live event broadcasting, the BBC “has questions to answer” and confirmed the Culture Secretary had contacted the corporation.
Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary Helen Whately was more direct, saying the broadcast should have been cut immediately.
“I believe in free speech, but that was incitement to violence. It was incitement to kill. That is not something that we support in this country,” she said.
The BBC has since responded, describing some of the comments made during the set as “deeply offensive.”
A spokesperson for the broadcaster said: “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. We have no plans to make the performance available on demand.”
The controversy has reignited debate over the boundaries of free speech, live event broadcasting, and the BBC’s responsibility to its audience.
