**Lisa Nandy Presses for Senior Accountability over BBC’s Bob Vylan Broadcast**
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy has called for “accountability at the highest levels” within the BBC following broadcast of a controversial live performance by punk duo Bob Vylan at Glastonbury Festival. She told MPs that the Corporation’s response to her enquiries had so far been unsatisfactory, sparking calls for clarity over decision-making processes within the BBC during such high-profile events.
Bob Vylan, who performed on Worthy Farm’s stage last weekend, led chants that referenced the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) in a manner that has drawn sharp criticism and prompted investigations by police forces in both London and Somerset. The pair, known onstage as Bobby Vylan and Bobbie Vylan, are also under scrutiny for alleged similar remarks made during a concert at Alexandra Palace earlier this year.
Ms Nandy divulged in the Commons on Thursday that she had been in contact with BBC leaders but was seeking further information. “I have received a reply to the very many questions that were raised by colleagues on all sides. I’m not satisfied with that, and I have gone back to the BBC leadership to ask for more detail. In particular, we need to address why the live feed was not halted, what due diligence surrounded the act’s inclusion, and what level of senior oversight was involved during Glastonbury weekend,” she stated.
The incident has reignited concerns over the BBC’s editorial judgement and procedures when broadcasting live music events. Conservative shadow culture secretary Stuart Andrew expressed astonishment that the BBC did not halt the live broadcast as it has done during unscripted incidents at sporting events. “Given the BBC are seemingly able to pull live broadcasts when things go wrong at football matches, it’s extraordinary that this didn’t happen here,” he said, seeking greater transparency over who was ultimately responsible.
Adding to the pressure, Andrew highlighted the absence of basic facts in the BBC’s response and pushed for chairman Samir Shah to clarify who had final editorial responsibility. “There were hundreds of BBC staff present, so for the Corporation to be unable to say who made the final decision on the broadcast is unacceptable,” he asserted. He stressed that public accountability was not negated by the BBC’s editorial independence, suggesting that both artists and broadcasters should be held to the same standards when it comes to offensive content.
During a ministerial statement earlier in the week, Nandy had already warned that the risks associated with live broadcasts should have been identified and managed. She repeated her insistence on “rapid action” to close gaps in compliance and prevent such incidents in future festival coverage.
Meanwhile, discussions within the BBC’s own board have acknowledged the seriousness of the matter. Chair Samir Shah confirmed that the board met earlier in the week to assess the fallout and ensure appropriate accountability mechanisms are initiated. He commented, “I am satisfied that the executive is initiating a process to ensure proper accountability for those found to be responsible for failings in this incident.”
As a result of the growing scrutiny, the BBC opted not to make the Bob Vylan Glastonbury set available for replay on iPlayer or BBC Sounds. The broadcaster also announced that “any music performances deemed high risk will now not be broadcast live or streamed live,” reflecting a tightening of policy around major events. The BBC further pledged to make compliance advice readily available on-site at large festivals, alongside clearer guidelines for pulling live streams in response to potential content breaches.
Relations between the BBC and the Government have been strained by similar incidents this year. In February, the BBC withdrew its documentary “Gaza: How To Survive A Warzone” from iPlayer upon revelations that its narrator was related to a Hamas official. The controversy surrounding Bob Vylan has further underscored sensitivities about public broadcasting and its responsibility towards diverse audiences.
In closing the discussion, Lisa Nandy signalled her appreciation for the broad support among MPs for greater transparency. She said, “Given the seriousness of what happened – and especially in light of the effect this has had on the Jewish community in this country – I would expect there to be accountability at the highest levels.”
The government and the BBC now face heightened expectations for swift and effective reforms, aiming to safeguard editorial integrity while ensuring that mechanisms are robust enough to respond to unforeseen live events in the future.