HOLLYWOOD actor Jamie Dornan was seen backstage at Glastonbury partying with Irish rap group Kneecap as police investigate politically charged moments during their set and another by Bobby Vylan.
Kneecap's Glastonbury appearance went ahead with a packed crowd despite calls for them to be dropped from the line-up.
An unexpected celebrity endorsement came from Jamie as The Robin Hood star, from Northern Ireland, posed backstage with the band made up of rappers Mo Chara and Móglaí Bap, and DJ Próvaí.
They performed shortly after punk duo Bob Vylan also stirred controversy, with frontman Bobby Vylan shouting "Death, death, to the IDF" during a live-streamed BBC broadcast.
Avon and Somerset Police confirmed on X that they are reviewing footage from both sets: "We are aware of the comments made by acts on the West Holts Stage at Glastonbury Festival this afternoon.
"Video evidence will be assessed by officers to determine whether any offences may have been committed that would require a criminal investigation."
The BBC declined to stream Kneecap's performance live, citing editorial standards, though one audience member live streamed it in full on TikTok.
The band also led anti-Keir Starmer chants after he called for them to be axed from the Glastonbury line-up.
However, many fans waved pro-Palestinian banners and wore themed face paint in support.
The West Holts stage was temporarily closed due to fears of overcrowding, with festival organisers issuing a "no access" warning shortly before Kneecap's 4pm performance.
The decision not to broadcast the set live follows mounting political pressure.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer had previously called for the Irish group to be banned from the festival altogether.
The controversy was further fuelled by footage of rapper JJ Ó Dochartaigh (Móglaí Bap) wearing a T-shirt referencing Palestine Action — a group the UK government has discussed banning as a terrorist organisation under the Terrorism Act 2000 after they spray painted RAF planes red.
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has the authority to proscribe organisations she deems "concerned in terrorism."
In a separate case, Kneecap frontman Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh (Mo Chara) was charged under the Terrorism Act last month.
He allegedly displayed a Hezbollah flag and shouted "up Hamas, up Hezbollah" during a November 2023 gig in Kentish Town, London.
Following the performance from Bob Vylan, Glastonbury said: "Glastonbury Festival was created in 1970 as a place for people to come together and rejoice in music, the arts and the best of human endeavour.
"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."
Post a Comment