UPDATED: The BBC has issued an announcement concerning the controversy sparked by Bob Vylan‘s Glastonbury set on Saturday, with the broadcaster saying it “ought to have pulled” the livestream of the efficiency. UTA has additionally dropped the band as a shopper, sources inform Selection, and an official prison investigation has been launched within the U.Ok. In the meantime, the punk-rap duo’s U.S. visas have additionally been revoked, stopping them from touring there this fall.

The punk-rap duo led the gang in a number of chants throughout their present on Saturday afternoon — proper earlier than Irish rap group Kneecap’s extremely anticipated set on the West Holts stage — together with “demise, demise to the IDF [Israel Defense Forces].”

Whereas the BBC didn’t air Kneecap’s efficiency after latest controversy over their political statements — resulting in member Mo Chara lately being charged beneath the U.Ok.’s Terrorism Act — Bob Vylan’s set was proven reside. Along with the “demise to the IDF” chant, Bob Vylan additionally led the gang in chanting “free, free Palestine” and “from the river to the ocean, Palestine have to be free.”

“The workforce have been coping with a reside scenario however with hindsight we should always have pulled the stream throughout the efficiency. We remorse this didn’t occur,” the BBC mentioned on Monday. “The BBC respects freedom of expression however stands firmly towards incitement to violence. The antisemitic sentiments expressed by Bob Vylan have been totally unacceptable and haven’t any place on our airwaves. In mild of this weekend, we are going to take a look at our steering round reside occasions so we will be certain groups are clear on when it’s acceptable to maintain output on air.”

A police investigation has additionally been formally launched into each Bob Vylan and Kneecap’s feedback. An replace from the Avon and Somerset Police on Monday reads partially: “Following the completion of that evaluation course of now we have determined additional enquiries are required and a prison investigation is now being undertaken. A senior detective has been appointed to steer this investigation. This has been recorded as a public order incident right now whereas our enquiries are at an early stage. The investigation will probably be evidence-led and can carefully think about all acceptable laws, together with regarding hate crimes.”

Bob Vylan’s U.S. visas have been additionally revoked on Monday. U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau posted on X: “The @StateDept has revoked the U.S. visas for the members of the Bob Vylan band in mild of their hateful tirade at Glastonbury, together with main the gang in demise chants. Foreigners who glorify violence and hatred will not be welcome guests to our nation.” The duo had deliberate to tour the U.S. within the fall.

On Sunday, Glastonbury organizers mentioned they have been “appalled” by Bob Vylan’s statements. “Their chants very a lot crossed a line and we’re urgently reminding everybody concerned within the manufacturing of the competition that there isn’t a place at Glastonbury for antisemitism, hate speech or incitement to violence,” the competition mentioned in an announcement.

Afterward Sunday, lead singer Bobby Vylan put out an announcement by way of Instagram with the caption “I mentioned what I mentioned,” writing: “It’s extremely necessary that we encourage and encourage future generations to select up the torch that was handed to us. Allow us to show to them loudly and visibly the proper factor to do after we need and want change. Allow them to see us marching within the streets, campaigning on floor stage, organizing on-line and shouting about it on any and each stage that we’re provided.”

Representatives for Bob Vylan didn’t instantly reply to Selection‘s request for touch upon the BBC’s assertion.

Deadline was the primary to report the information about Bob Vylan being dropped by UTA.