Bob Vylan, the British punk duo, has announced legal action against the BBC after the broadcaster labeled the group antisemitic following their Glastonbury 2025 performance. The band confirmed the lawsuit on Instagram on Friday, July 3, 2026, accusing the corporation of unfairly branding them in the wake of their controversial set at Worthy Farm last June.
Band Accuses BBC of Unfair Labeling
In a statement to their fans, the duo wrote: “In the immediate aftermath of our performance at Glastonbury 2025, the BBC wasted no time in placing labels upon us that did not, do not and never will fit.” They criticized the publicly-funded broadcaster for failing to represent the interests of ordinary people, arguing that the BBC has “disappointingly continued to prove how little it represents the interests of the people and our access to unbiased news and information.” The BBC declined to comment when approached.
Controversial Glastonbury Performance
During their set on the West Holts Stage, frontman Bobby Vylan encouraged the audience to chant “free, free Palestine” and “death, death to the IDF.” The BBC streamed the performance live and later expressed deep regret, describing the chants as “antisemitic sentiments” that were “utterly unacceptable,” adding that the livestream “should have been pulled” while the set was still playing. In September 2025, the BBC’s Executive Complaints Unit partially upheld complaints, concluding that the broadcast breached editorial guidelines on harm and offence. However, allegations that the performance could encourage or incite criminal activity were rejected, and the broadcast was cleared of impartiality breaches.
Legal Proceedings in Ireland
Both band members—Bobby Vylan (real name Pascl Robinson-Foster) and Bobbie Vylan (born Laurence George Wade)—have initiated separate legal proceedings in the High Court in Ireland. They have engaged a Belfast-based solicitor who previously represented Irish hip-hop group Kneecap in their successful legal battle against the UK government over a blocked arts grant. A BBC spokesperson declined to address the matter directly, telling NME that they “do not intend to comment on ongoing legal proceedings.” The band concluded their statement with the words “Free Palestine and Justice for the Filton 25.”
