Hundreds of BBC staff were working at Glastonbury with individuals who had the authority to cut the Bob Vylan livestream present during the controversial performance, the BBC director-general has revealed. Tim Davie said cutting the livestream was an option available to those on the ground during the incident.
The revelation comes after the frontman of the punk rap duo led crowds in chants of "death, death to the IDF (Israeli Military Force)" during their set at the Somerset music festival. Police have since launched an investigation into the group with the BBC issuing an apology for the livestream.
BBC staff numbers revealed
In a letter responding to questions from Dame Caroline Dinenage MP, chairwoman of the Culture Media and Sport Committee, Davie disclosed that 550 personnel were working for the BBC at Glastonbury. Of these, 328 were working for BBC Studios in camera crew, rigging, technical and production roles, whilst 35 provided coverage for BBC News.
A further 187 other BBC public service staff worked across a wide range of roles, including technical crew, producers, presenters, engineers, runners, commissioners and compliance staff. The broadcaster has promised to no longer broadcast live acts they deem "high risk".
Director-general's apology
Davie said there were failures in the BBC's coverage which led to offensive content being broadcast live. "I deeply regret that such deplorable behaviour appeared on the BBC and want to apologise to our viewers and listeners and in particular the Jewish community," he stated.
The director-general added that his immediate priority was to take swift actions to mitigate against anything similar happening in the future. The BBC is also taking actions to ensure proper accountability for those found responsible for the failings in the live broadcast.
Band faces consequences
Since their Glastonbury set, Bob Vylan - made up of frontman Bobby Vylan, whose real name is reportedly Pascal Robinson-Foster, and drummer Bobbie Vylan - have reportedly been dropped by their agency, United Talent Agency (UTA). The agency appears to have removed the group from their website.
The duo have also been pulled from a number of concerts, including their US tour after having their visas revoked. The group announced on Monday in a post on Instagram that they were unable to join rock band Gogol Bordello on their European Tour due to "logistical complications".
London performance statement
The group performed a sold-out gig in London last week where Bobby Vylan said: "We are a loving band, we love you lot for being here with us. We love the Palestinian people." He praised their "strength, their resilience, their ability to keep on going in the face of it all".
Vylan added: "So as hard as this week may have been for us, it has been nothing in comparison to what the Palestinian people are going through right now." The BBC is urgently reviewing its guidelines to see if any further measures are needed.
(PA) Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.
