An investigation into controversial chants led by the rap-punk duo Bob Vylan during their performance at Glastonbury Festival will not result in criminal charges, after police concluded there was insufficient evidence to support a realistic prospect of conviction.
Avon and Somerset Police confirmed this week that no further action would be taken following a criminal investigation into comments made on stage by Bobby Vylan, one half of the duo, whose real name is Pascal Robinson-Foster. During Bob Vylan’s set on the West Holts stage in June, Robinson-Foster led the crowd in chants of “death, death to the IDF”, a reference to the Israel Defense Forces.
The chants sparked immediate backlash and widespread public debate, particularly among Jewish groups, prompting Avon and Somerset Police to open a formal investigation. A senior detective was appointed to lead inquiries, and last month a man in his mid-30s was interviewed under caution in relation to the incident. He was not formally arrested, and police did not publicly identify him, though it was widely understood the investigation related to the Glastonbury performance.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, Avon and Somerset Police said: “No further action will be taken on the basis there is insufficient evidence for there to be a realistic prospect of conviction.”
The force acknowledged the strength of feeling generated by the chants, adding: “The comments made on Saturday, 28 June drew widespread anger, proving that words have real-world consequences. We believe it is right that this matter was comprehensively investigated, every potential criminal offence was thoroughly considered and we sought all the advice we could to ensure we made an informed decision.”
Police confirmed they had shared details of their initial inquiries with the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) in July and sought legal advice on a number of possible offences, including those relating to public order and hate crime legislation.
A CPS spokesperson said prosecutors had provided early investigative guidance but were never asked to make a formal charging decision. “We recognise the strength of public feeling about comments made during Bob Vylan’s set at Glastonbury festival in June, particularly among the Jewish community,” the spokesperson said. “A number of offences were considered which each have evidential requirements to prove, but Avon and Somerset Police have concluded there is insufficient evidence for there to be any realistic prospect of conviction.”
The decision has drawn criticism from community groups. The Community Security Trust (CST), which works to protect Jewish communities in the UK, described the outcome as “incredibly disappointing”, arguing that it sends “completely the wrong message at the worst possible time”, particularly amid heightened tensions and a rise in reported antisemitic incidents.
However, the reaction to the case has also exposed a familiar contradiction in parts of the political response. Right-wing commentators and groups, who are often the loudest advocates of absolute free speech, have been among the most vocal in demanding police action, censorship, or prosecution in this instance. Critics have pointed out that many of the same figures routinely oppose restrictions on speech when it concerns racist, anti-immigrant or Islamophobic rhetoric, yet call for swift intervention when expression challenges their own political or ideological positions.
The case is not the only one involving Bob Vylan to be reviewed by authorities. Last month, the Metropolitan Police confirmed they had closed a separate investigation into a Bob Vylan performance at Alexandra Palace in north London in May, also following advice from the CPS.
The controversy has extended beyond policing. In September, the BBC partly upheld complaints over its decision to livestream Bob Vylan’s Glastonbury set, acknowledging concerns from viewers while stopping short of a full admission of wrongdoing.
While no criminal charges will follow, the episode has reignited debate about the limits of artistic expression, the responsibilities of performers at major public events, and the selective way in which free speech is defended or condemned depending on who is speaking. For now, Bob Vylan faces no legal consequences, with authorities concluding that the evidential bar for prosecution has not been met.
