Express readers name for taxpayers to cease Glastonbury funding through BBC | TV & Radio | Showbiz & TV | EUROtoday

Express readers have known as for taxpayers to cease funding the Glastonbury competition by means of the BBC after chants by punk duo Bob Vylan calling for dying to Israelis “crossed a line”. Footage from yesterday’s set is being assessed by the police. Vylan led crowds on the competition’s West Holts Stage in chants of “death, death to the IDF”, earlier than a member of Irish rap trio Kneecap prompt followers “start a riot” at his bandmate’s forthcoming court docket look for allegedly displaying a Hezbollah flag throughout a London live performance in November.

When requested by an Express ballot in the event that they are not looking for their money funding the Somerset competition, “Yes” had garnered 10,077 votes (92%), and “No” 843 votes (8%) between 9.45am and a couple of.45pm as we speak. “Don’t know”, in the meantime, acquired 37 votes (0%). The BBC is the unique broadcast accomplice of Glastonbury. However, the occasion additionally has partnerships with corporations such because the Co-op and Vodafone.

One reader commented: “Glastonbury is and was a Music Festival to be enjoyed by all, not, and never a platform for political activists. This must be the very last festival ever held as a token of the unacceptable nature of these representations. There must be a full enquiry by the police why this was allowed to include so many activists, and why some choices of acts were made?

“Why have been Palestinian flags permitted to be flown, that clearly was a sign that this Festival was extra about biggotry than enjoyment of the mixing of races who had a typical purpose to co exist collectively. I’m disgusted that this nation seems to have discovered its method into the sewer utilizing faith!!”

Another wrote: “Is this the explanation the pensioners needed to forfeit their free TV licence so the BBC may contribute in the direction of this crap?”

A special individual wrote: “Yes, completely, however not for ‘censorship’ causes, however tax payers shouldn’t be subsidising this junket.”

But a reader who appeared against the idea wrote: “Oh please! The BBC broadcast it when the Glastonbury crowd have been chanting in favour of Jeremy Corbin some years in the past!

“You cannot stifle debate by trying to shut down a controversial opinion that you may not agree with – surely that smacks of fascism? I don’t agree with a lot of the pap that the BBC puts out, and although they always deny it, the political presenters can have a very, very, sneering attitude, when they are supposed to be impartial.

“However – we have to hear differing opinions in order that we will make our personal judgements.”

The Health Secretary, Wes Streeting, said this morning that Vylan’s chant was “appalling”, and that the BBC and the festival have “questions to answer”.

He told Sky News: “I thought it’s appalling, to be honest, and I think the BBC and Glastonbury have got questions to answer about how we saw such a spectacle on our screens.”

Mr Streeting added: “The fact that we saw that chant at a music festival, when there were Israelis at a similar music festival who were kidnapped, murdered, raped, and in some cases still held captive, whether it’s a Palestinian or an Israeli, whether it’s a Christian, a Jew or a Muslim, all life is precious.

“All life is sacred. And I find it pretty revolting we’ve got to a state in this conflict where you’re supposed to sort of cheer on one side or the other like it’s a football team.”

He also said Israel has to “get its personal home so as” over the conduct of settlers within the area.

A joint Instagram put up from Glastonbury and Emily Eavis, its organiser, mentioned: “As a festival, we stand against all forms of war and terrorism. We will always believe in – and actively campaign for – hope, unity, peace and love.

“With almost 4,000 performances at Glastonbury 2025, there will inevitably be artists and speakers appearing on our stages whose views we do not share, and a performer’s presence here should never be seen as a tacit endorsement of their opinions and beliefs.

“However, we are appalled by the statements made from the West Holts stage by Bob Vylan yesterday. Their chants very much crossed a line and we are urgently reminding everyone involved in the production of the Festival that there is no place at Glastonbury for antisemitism, hate speech or incitement to violence.”