UK (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Lisa Nandy slammed the BBC over Bob Vylan’s broadcast, demanding answers and accountability for failing to act on anti-IDF chants at Glastonbury.
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy voiced dissatisfaction with the BBC’s handling of the Bob Vylan row, urging accountability at the highest levels of leadership.
Lisa Nandy’s views on the BBC’s failure to act on Bob Vylan’s Glastonbury performance
Lisa Nandy told MPs the BBC failed to explain how the controversial Bob Vylan broadcast was aired live without edits.
She slammed the broadcaster for failing to vet Bob Vylan, pointing to a video in which the frontman called all IDF soldiers “agents of terror” and urged their death.
Speaking in the House of Commons, Ms Nandy said,
“I’m not satisfied with the response I’ve had. I’m not satisfied with that and I have gone back to the BBC leadership to ask for further information – in particular about the failure to pull the live feed, about the due diligence that was done before deciding to screen this act and also about the level of senior oversight that took place in the BBC during the Glastonbury weekend.”
She stated,
“I think the BBC leadership will hear and have heard the strength of feeling in this House about this, and I expect further answers to be forthcoming imminently.”
The culture secretary stressed the importance of distinguishing between editorial independence and leadership accountability at the BBC.
She added,
“Given the seriousness of what happened and in particular, the absolutely shocking stories of the impact this has had on the Jewish community in this country – given the seriousness of this, I would expect there to be accountability at the highest levels.”
What did Stuart Andrew say about the BBC’s handling of the Bob Vylan row?
Shadow culture secretary Stuart Andrew slammed the BBC for failing to provide fundamental details about the decision to air Bob Vylan’s performance unedited.
He added,
“There were hundreds of BBC staff there, and not being able to identify who ultimately had the final decision on whether to broadcast or not is not acceptable. I think the chairman needs to inform [Ms Nandy] as a matter of urgency who that was and what action they are going to take.”
What did Lisa Nandy and BBC bosses say about the Bob Vylan row?
Lisa Nandy called BBC chief Tim Davie on Saturday to demand answers over Bob Vylan’s broadcast. The matter is now with Avon and Somerset Police.
She summoned BBC chairman Dr Samir Shah to explain the full details.
Mr Davie expressed his apology to the BBC’s Jewish staff, condemned Bob Vylan’s actions, and assured there is no place for anti-Semitism at the BBC.
What did Wes Streeting say about Glastonbury’s “death to the IDF” chants?
Health Secretary Wes Streeting condemned the “death to IDF” chants at Glastonbury as “appalling” and “revolting.” He called on the BBC and festival organisers to answer.
He said,
“I think the BBC and Glastonbury have got questions to answer about how we saw such a spectacle on our screens. But I also think it’s a pretty shameless publicity stunt, which I don’t really want to give too much indulgence to for that reason.”
What did Helen Whately say about the BBC’s handling of Bob Vylan’s live broadcast?
Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary Helen Whately urged the BBC to cut the live feed during Bob Vylan’s controversial performance.
She added,
“I think if you were in the BBC and seeing that you were broadcasting that to the nation, that can’t be the right thing. I mean, yes, I believe in free speech, but that was incitement to violence. It was incitement to kill. That is not something that we support in this country. And I think the BBC should have shifted to something else.”
How did the BBC respond to Bob Vylan’s backlash?
A BBC spokesperson stated,
“Some of the comments made during Bob Vylan’s set were deeply offensive.”
They added,
“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.”
What did Glastonbury Festival say about Bob Vylan’s chants?
Glastonbury officials said Bob Vylan’s actions left them “appalled” and concerned.
They added,
“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 at Glastonbury for antisemitism, hate speech or incitement to violence.”