Avon and Somerset Police have announced they will not be pursuing any further action against music duo Bob Vylan, who prompted a chant of “death, death to the IDF” at Glastonbury Festival. The controversial comments were made by lead singer Bobby Vylan, also known as Pascal Robinson-Foster, during their performance in June.
After facing criticism for allowing the incident to be broadcast, the BBC later apologized for the moment. Following complaints, Avon and Somerset Police launched a criminal investigation but have now decided not to proceed with any legal action against the performers due to insufficient evidence for a realistic chance of conviction.
In a statement, the police stated their commitment to thoroughly investigating the matter and consulting with various groups, including the Jewish communities affected by the incident. They emphasized the importance of open dialogue and providing necessary support. The police force had previously conducted a voluntary interview with a man in his mid-thirties regarding the incident.
Avon and Somerset Police collaborated with the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) in their inquiries and sought legal guidance on possible offenses. Bob Vylan, known for their critical songs about the British establishment, performed at the festival before being dropped from other events and festivals following the controversy. British Airways even paused their sponsorship of a podcast featuring Robinson-Foster after a controversial interview.
Despite the public outcry, the Metropolitan Police decided to close their investigation into a separate incident involving Bobby Vylan allegedly making similar remarks at a performance in London. The CPS acknowledged the public concern surrounding the comments made at Glastonbury but stated that there was insufficient evidence for any realistic chance of conviction, leading to the decision not to proceed with charges.