A police investigation into chants made throughout a Bob Vylan efficiency at Glastonbury 2025 has concluded that no additional motion will likely be taken.
The Glastonbury 2025 set was broadcast dwell on the BBC and noticed Bob Vylan lead the viewers in chants of “loss of life, loss of life to the IDF” and “free, free Palestine”.
Following the pageant, the efficiency was topic to a felony investigation from Avon and Somerset Police. Yesterday (December 23), the investigation was dropped.
“We have now concluded, after reviewing all of the proof, that it doesn’t meet the felony threshold outlined by the CPS for any particular person to be prosecuted,” the pressure mentioned in an announcement. “No additional motion will likely be taken on the idea there may be inadequate evidential for there to be a practical prospect of conviction.”
As a part of their enquiries into the chants, police mentioned they carried out “a voluntary police interview below warning” with a person in his mid-30s in November.
Officers mentioned in addition they spoke to “roughly 200” members of the general public to see if they’d been the sufferer of a felony offence.
The assertion added that the pressure had additionally sought authorized precedents from different UK police forces which have handled comparable incidents, in addition to recommendation from the Nationwide Police Chiefs’ Council hate crime leads, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) and “an impartial barrister”.
“We sought particular consideration across the phrases said, when it comes to the intent behind them, the broader context of how folks heard what was mentioned, case legislation and anything probably related, together with freedom of speech,” the assertion continued.
“Persistently the recommendation now we have obtained has highlighted basic evidential difficulties that can not be ignored,” police mentioned. “The feedback made on Saturday 28 June drew widespread anger, proving that phrases have real-world penalties.”
“We imagine it’s proper this matter was comprehensively investigated, each potential felony offence was completely thought-about, and we sought all the recommendation we might to make sure we made an knowledgeable determination.”
“We have now proactively engaged with quite a lot of teams, notably amongst our Jewish communities, since this incident and offered updates to them all through.”
In response to the choice, the Neighborhood Safety Belief, a charity that gives safety to Jewish communities within the UK, mentioned: “It’s extremely disappointing that the police and CPS have determined to not cost on this case, notably when police forces in London and Manchester are adopting a stronger method to tackling hateful rhetoric.
“It sends utterly the improper message on the worst attainable time.”
The Metropolitan police mentioned final month they might shut their very own investigation into Bob Vylan’s gig in Might at Alexandra Palace in north London, after recommendation from the CPS.
After their Glastonbury set, Bob Vylan had a number of worldwide exhibits cancelled, and their US visas have been revoked forward of a tour within the nation.
Two UK gigs, in Manchester and Leeds, have additionally been postponed till subsequent 12 months, “because of political stress” from MPs and Jewish leaders.
In a earlier assertion, Bob Vylan mentioned they have been not calling for “the loss of life of Jews or Arabs or some other race or group” at Glasto.
Frontman Bobby Vylan (Pascal Robinson-Foster) defined in October that he was “not regretful” of his remarks at Glastonbury, including: “I’d do it once more tomorrow, twice on Sundays. I’m not regretful of it in any respect.”
Shortly after their set on the West Holts stage, Glasto organisers mentioned they have been “appalled” by Bob Vylan’s “loss of life to IDF” chants.
Earlier this month, Bob Vylan sued RTE over its claims of “Anti-Semitic chants” in the course of the Glastonbury set.
The duo not too long ago launched their first new single because the controversy, ‘Sick Unhappy World’, the place they known as out Prime Minister Keir Starmer and “the BBC’s lies“. They wrapped up their run of 2025 ‘We Gained’t Go Quietly’ UK and Eire tour dates final week. The aforementioned postponed gigs in Manchester and Leeds will now happen in February.
They’ve additionally obtained an apology and have been awarded substantial damages from Manchester Night Information, after the outlet printed defamatory claims a few “Nazi salute” occurring at one in every of their gigs.
In different information, Jeremy Corbyn has shared his ideas on Bob Vylan and Kneecap’s Palestine stance, saying the bands have expressed their beliefs “in an excellent means”.
