Avon and Somerset Police have closed their inquiry into chants led by Bob Vylan’s frontman at Glastonbury, concluding the remarks did not meet the threshold for prosecution. Officers interviewed a man in his mid‑30s and contacted about 200 members of the public during the probe. The BBC apologised for livestreaming the incident and was found to have breached editorial guidelines. Bob Vylan subsequently had US visas revoked and have launched defamation proceedings against RTÉ.
UK Police Close Probe Into Bob Vylan’s Glastonbury Chants — No Charges To Be Pursued
Bob Vylan perform on the West Holts Stage during day four of Glastonbury festival 2025 at Worthy Farm, Pilton on June 28, 2025 [Leon Neal/Getty Images]
Avon and Somerset Police have concluded an investigation into chants led by Bob Vylan’s frontman at Glastonbury, deciding there is insufficient evidence to bring criminal charges.
Investigation Findings
The force said on Tuesday it had considered the intent behind the words, the wider context, relevant case law and freedom of expression before deciding not to pursue a prosecution. Officers interviewed a man in his mid-30s and contacted about 200 members of the public as part of the inquiry.
Police quoted legal advice and concluded there was “insufficient evidence to provide a realistic prospect of conviction” for any offence. A statement added: “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.”
What Happened At Glastonbury
During the band’s set on 28 June, lead vocalist Pascal Robinson‑Foster (known on stage as Bobby Vylan) led chants of “death, death” directed at the Israeli military in relation to the war in Gaza. The moment was livestreamed by the BBC as part of its Glastonbury coverage, drawing immediate public backlash.
The BBC later apologised for broadcasting “such offensive and deplorable behaviour,” and its complaints unit found the coverage breached editorial guidelines.
Aftermath And Related Actions
Following the Glastonbury set, the United States revoked Bob Vylan’s visas, forcing the cancellation of a planned US tour scheduled to begin in October. The duo has launched defamation proceedings against Irish broadcaster RTÉ, alleging it falsely reported they led anti‑Semitic chants during the performance.
Separately, in July the UK police also dropped an investigation into Irish‑language rap group Kneecap after they chanted “Free Palestine” during a performance; detectives said they had sought Crown Prosecution Service advice and determined there was insufficient evidence to provide a realistic prospect of conviction.
Context
“The comments made on Saturday 28 June drew widespread anger, proving that words have real-world consequences,” the force said.
The decision highlights the balance courts and prosecutors must strike between assessing potentially inflammatory speech and protecting freedom of expression under the law.
