Keir Starmer Demands Explanation For Bobby Vylan Hate Speech On BBC

Keir Starmer has demanded answers from the BBC for broadcasting “appalling hate speech” from Glastonbury.

The prime minister added his voice to the backlash against punk duo Bobby Vylan after they led the festival crowd in chants of “death to the IDF (Israel Defence Forces)” on Saturday afternoon.

Their performance was streamed live on the BBC iPlayer.

Starmer told the Telegraph: “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.”

Health secretary Wes Streeting had earlier said both the BBC and Glastonbury “have questions to answer”.

He told Sky News: “I thought it was appalling to be honest and I think the BBC and Glastonbury have got questions to answer on how we saw such a spectacle on our screens.

“I also think it was a pretty shameless publicity stunt that I don’t want to give too much indulgence to for that reason.”

A spokesperson for the BBC 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.

“We have no plans to make the performance available on demand.”

In a statement posted on Instagram on Sunday, Glastonbury’s organisers also said they were “appalled” by Bob Vylan’s performance.

They 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 for antisemitism, hate speech or incitement to violence”.