Bob Vylan Announces Defamation Lawsuit Against the BBC
The rap duo Bob Vylan announced on Friday that they are initiating a defamation lawsuit against the BBC, citing the broadcaster’s response to their 2025 Glastonbury performance as the catalyst for the legal challenge. The group, known for their politically charged lyrics and high-energy stage presence, claims the corporation unfairly labeled them in the wake of the festival.
“We have decided to take legal action against the BBC. 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,” the duo stated via social media. They further criticized the public broadcaster, arguing that it has failed to represent the interests of the public or provide access to unbiased information.
During their 2025 Glastonbury set on the West Holts Stage, the group’s frontman, Bobby Vylan, led the audience in chants of “Free, free Palestine” and “Death, death to the IDF.” The performance drew immediate condemnation from festival organizers, who described themselves as “appalled” by the rhetoric. The BBC, which broadcast the set live, subsequently removed the performance from its on-demand streaming platforms.
In their statement, the duo alleged that the BBC has systematically attempted to silence voices opposing the conflict in Gaza. “The BBC have attempted to silence those that oppose the heinous crimes taking place in Palestine, instead labelling them as anti-semitic, editing their speeches, removing their content and even blocking the release of documentaries that challenge the desired narrative of The BBC and its top brass,” the group wrote.
The fallout from the performance extended beyond the BBC. Bob Vylan reported that their visas were revoked by the U.S. State Department, and several other music festivals canceled their scheduled appearances. While U.K. police investigated the incident to determine if criminal charges were warranted, the investigation was ultimately dropped.
Despite the professional repercussions, the duo remains defiant. In an October 2025 interview, Bobby Vylan expressed no regret regarding the performance, stating, “Like what if I was to go on Glastonbury again tomorrow, yes I would do it again. I’m not regretful of it. I’d do it again tomorrow, twice on Sundays.”
The group emphasized that their decision to pursue legal action is a matter of principle. “These responses are unacceptable. So seeing the opportunity to remind them the power of the people that they are attempting to silence, we had no choice but to take on this fight. In fact, we take great pleasure in serving them that reminder in court,” the statement concluded.
