Controversial punk-rap duo Bob Vylan faces police scrutiny and public protests after their politically charged performance at Glastonbury, raising debates over free speech and hate crime laws as they prepare to perform in London amidst heightened security.
Police in London are on high alert as the punk-rap duo Bob Vylan, known for their controversial political statements, prepare to perform at the O2 Forum in Kentish Town. The group’s frontman, Pascal Robinson-Foster, made headlines this summer after leading chants of "death, death to the IDF (Israel Defence Forces)" during a BBC live-streamed set at the 2025 Glastonbury Festival. The performance, which included politically charged slogans supporting Palestine, sparked intense criticism from politicians, community groups, and media watchdogs for broadcasting what was widely described as hate speech and incitement to violence.
The fallout from the Glastonbury event has been significant for Bob Vylan. Various festivals and performances, including Radar festival, a German venue show, and a planned US tour, were cancelled, with some of the latter due to the revocation of the group’s visas. The BBC publicly expressed regret for failing to halt the live-stream that broadcast the contentious performance, subsequently removing the footage from its iPlayer streaming service. Glastonbury Festival organisers also condemned the chants, stating that such rhetoric crossed a clear line and reiterated their zero-tolerance stance on antisemitism, hate speech, and incitement to violence at the event.
In the days following their Glastonbury performance, Pascal Robinson-Foster voluntarily attended a police interview after Avon and Somerset Police received a referral and guidance from the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) regarding potential public order offences. The investigation by British police also encompasses other acts at the festival involving politically charged chants, including controversial statements by the Irish rap group Kneecap. The probe aims to determine if the performances contravened laws related to hate crimes or public order offences.
The controversy surrounding Bob Vylan escalated further in October when British Airways paused their sponsorship of the Louis Theroux podcast after Robinson-Foster reiterated in an interview that he was unrepentant about his Glastonbury chants, stating he would "do it again tomorrow." This statement has intensified divisions among supporters and detractors, further polarising public discourse.
Tonight’s scheduled concert at the O2 Forum is expected to draw protests from rival groups – pro-Palestinian supporters and the Stop the Hate campaign. The Metropolitan Police have issued a statement ensuring that both protests must end by 9.30pm to maintain public order. The heightened security presence reflects the sensitivity surrounding the band’s performances and the broader debate over freedom of expression versus hate speech boundaries on public platforms.
This ongoing situation frames a wider conversation about the responsibilities of broadcasters, event organisers, and artists when politically inflammatory content intersects with issues of hate speech and public safety. The BBC, under scrutiny for its role in the live broadcast, has acknowledged the need to improve safeguards to prevent similar incidents in the future.
📌 Reference Map:
- [1] Express.co.uk - Paragraphs 1, 2, 3, 5, 6
- [2] NME.com - Paragraphs 1, 2
- [3] CBSNews.com - Paragraphs 2, 3
- [4] ITV.com - Paragraph 2
- [5] Reuters.com - Paragraphs 3, 4
- [6] Dawn.com - Paragraph 2
- [7] LondonWorld.com - Paragraph 2
Source: Noah Wire Services
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative presents recent events, including Bob Vylan's performance at Glastonbury 2025 and subsequent reactions. The earliest known publication date of similar content is June 30, 2025, with coverage continuing into November 2025. The Express.co.uk article was published on November 12, 2025, indicating timely reporting. However, the narrative includes recycled material from earlier reports, which may affect its freshness score. The inclusion of updated data alongside older content suggests a higher freshness score but should be flagged. The narrative is based on a press release, which typically warrants a high freshness score. No discrepancies in figures, dates, or quotes were identified.
Quotes check
Score:
7
Notes:
The narrative includes direct quotes attributed to Pascal Robinson-Foster and other individuals. The earliest known usage of the quote "death, death to the IDF" is from June 28, 2025, during the Glastonbury performance. The quote "I said what I said" was used in an NME article published on June 30, 2025. The Express.co.uk article includes these quotes, indicating they are not original to this report. The presence of these quotes suggests the content may be recycled, affecting its originality score.
Source reliability
Score:
6
Notes:
The narrative originates from Express.co.uk, a UK-based news outlet. While Express.co.uk is a known publication, it has been criticized for sensationalism and clickbait headlines. The reliance on a press release and the inclusion of recycled content from other sources raise concerns about the reliability of the information presented. The narrative also references other reputable sources, such as NME and CBS News, which adds credibility but also indicates reliance on secondary reporting.
Plausability check
Score:
7
Notes:
The narrative presents a plausible account of events surrounding Bob Vylan's performance at Glastonbury 2025 and the subsequent reactions. The claims are consistent with reports from reputable sources, including NME and CBS News. However, the reliance on a press release and recycled content raises questions about the originality and depth of the reporting. The narrative lacks specific factual anchors, such as direct links to official statements or primary sources, which affects its overall plausibility score.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): FAIL
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): MEDIUM
Summary:
The narrative presents a timely account of Bob Vylan's controversial performance at Glastonbury 2025 and its aftermath. However, the reliance on recycled content from earlier reports, including direct quotes and information from press releases, raises concerns about the originality and freshness of the reporting. The use of a press release as the primary source and the inclusion of recycled material from other sources suggest a lack of original reporting, which significantly impacts the credibility of the narrative.
