BBC issues statement on 'unacceptable' and 'antisemitic' Glastonbury performance following controversial 'death to the IDF' chant

The BBC has said they 'should have pulled' the broadcast of Bob Vylan's Glastonbury performance on Saturday (28 Jun), claiming his protest of the Israel Defence Forces contained 'utterly unacceptable' and 'antisemitic sentiments'.

The punk-rapper - real name Pascal Robinson-Foster, who performs as part of a duo - appeared before crowds at the West Holts Stage at Worthy Farm over the weekend, where he chanted the likes of 'Free, free Palestine' and 'Death, death to the IDF'.

The BBC gave an initial statement following the incident, explaining that viewers would not be able to access the protest on demand.

"Some of the comments made during Bob Vylan’s set were deeply offensive," it began.

"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.”

Now, the broadcaster has given a fuller idea of its regrets.

The musician divided attendees with his protest (Ki Price/WireImage)

"The team were dealing with a live situation but with hindsight we should have pulled the stream during the performance. We regret this did not happen," an official BBC statement released on Monday (30 Jun) read.

A spokesperson for the broadcaster also told press today: "The BBC respects freedom of expression but stands firmly against incitement to violence. The antisemitic sentiments expressed by Bob Vylan were utterly unacceptable and have no place on our airwaves."

Broadcast regular Ofcom previously declared that the BBC has 'questions to answer' over its coverage of the British music festival.

An Ofcom representative has also said: "We are very concerned about the live stream of this performance, and the BBC clearly has questions to answer.

"We have been speaking to the BBC over the weekend and we are obtaining further information as a matter of urgency, including what procedures were in place to ensure compliance with its own editorial guidelines."

Starmer previously issued a statement (Pierre Crom/Getty Images)

British Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer also voiced his criticism of Vylan's speech over the weekend, insisting there's 'no excuse' for 'appalling hate speech'.

Starmer also referenced the Belfast band Kneecap, who were almost cut from the festival after a member of the group was previously charged with a terror offence.

"I said that Kneecap should not be given a platform and that goes for any other performers making threats or inciting violence," the politician continued. "The BBC needs to explain how these scenes came to be broadcast."

Following his hotly-debated performance, Vylan wrote on Instagram: "Teaching our children to speak up for the change they want and need is the only way that we make this world a better place.

"As we grow older and our fire starts to possibly dim under the suffocation of adult life and all its responsibilities, it is incredibly important that we encourage and inspire future generations to pick up the torch that was passed to us."