Police issue update on Bob Vylan's Glastonbury set after chants sparked outrage
The police have confirmed they will take no further action against music duo Bob Vylan after they encouraged crowds at Glastonbury Festival to chant "death, death to the IDF". The comments sparked a backlash when the music act took to the stage in June.
During their set, the lead singer Bobby Vylan, whose real name is Pascal Robinson-Foster, led the chant against the Israel Defense Forces. The BBC was heavily criticised for allowing the moment to be broadcast with the Corporation later apologising for the incident.
Following complaints, Avon and Somerset Police agreed to investigate the incident with a criminal investigation launched, headed by a senior detective. But now the police force has announced they will be taking no further action against the performers.
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In a statement released on Tuesday, Avon and Somerset Police said: “No further action will be taken on the basis there is insufficient evidential for there to be a realistic prospect of conviction.” A statement released by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) insisted this was a decision made by Avon and Somerset Police.
Avon and Somerset Police added: “The comments made on Saturday June 28 drew widespread anger, proving that words have real-world consequences. We believe it is right this matter was comprehensively investigated, every potential criminal offence was thoroughly considered and we sought all the advice we could to ensure we made an informed decision.”
The statement continued: “We have proactively engaged with a number of groups, particularly among our Jewish communities, since this incident and provided updates to them throughout. This has always been a priority for us and has continued today around the communication of this investigative outcome.
“We hugely value having that open dialogue, enabling us to provide any reassurance or support necessary.” It has also been reported that the force conducted a voluntary interview with a man in his mid-thirties in November over the incident, and that he was informed of the outcome on Tuesday.
Avon and Somerset Police shared the details of its initial inquiries with the CPS in July and sought legal advice around a number of offences. Bob Vylan, who are known for writing songs that criticise the British establishment, performed on the West Holts Stage ahead of a performance from Belfast rap trio Kneecap, who were also investigated by police for comments made on stage.
In July, Avon and Somerset Police said it would be taking “no further action” against the Irish language group on the grounds that there was “insufficient evidence to provide a realistic prospect of conviction for any offence”.
Following Bob Vylan’s Glastonbury appearance, the duo were dropped from a number of festivals and performances including Radar festival, a show at a German music venue, and a US tour after their visas were revoked. In October, British Airways paused their sponsorship of the Louis Theroux Podcast following an interview with Robinson-Foster, which saw him say he was “not regretful” of the chant and would “do it again tomorrow”.
In November the Metropolitan Police said they would close their own investigation into a London performance, following advice from the CPS. The investigation was launched by police after footage emerged allegedly showing singer Bobby Vylan saying “death to the IDF (Israel Defence Forces)” at a performance supporting singer Iggy Pop at Alexandra Palace in May.
A CPS spokesperson said: “We recognise the strength of public feeling about comments made during Bob Vylan’s set at Glastonbury Festival in June, particularly among the Jewish community. We provided early investigative advice to Avon and Somerset Police on what evidence might be needed to meet the legal test for charging but we have not been asked to make a charging decision in this case.
“A number of offences were considered which each have evidential requirements to prove but Avon and Somerset Police have concluded there is insufficient evidence for there to be any realistic prospect of conviction and will take no further action.”
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