The BBC coverage of anti-Israel band Kneecap’s set at Glastonbury appears to be in doubt after a public “backlash” when one of the group’s members was charged with a terror offence.
The festival, which kicked off yesterday, has declined to drop the performance despite public pressure (including from the prime minister) after footage emerged allegedly showing Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, known by his stage name Mo Chara, draped in a Hezbollah flag at a concert in London last year.
However, it seems that the BBC may not broadcast Kneecap’s appearance, with the band not listed on TV schedules at the time of its slot on Saturday afternoon.
The BBC Two coverage on that day is not set to begin until 5pm, with Kneecap booked for the hour beforehand.
And while the iPlayer provides live streams of the stages during the day, the band is not currently listed on its schedule either.
Controversy erupted around the performance when footage emerged on social media, apparently showing Mo Chara cloaked in a Hezbollah flag while shouting “up Hamas, up Hezbollah".
The rapper was investigated by counter-terror police as a result of the clip and has now been charged with displaying an article in support of a proscribed organisation – an offence under the Terrorism Act 2000.
Chara was bailed last week after an appearance at Westminster Magistrates’ Court, with his next court date set for August 20.
Asked by The Sun on Sunday whether, in light of the charge, he felt Kneecap should perform at Glastonbury, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer told The Sun on Sunday: “No I don’t. I think we need to come down really clearly on this.
"I won’t say too much, because there’s a court case on, but I don’t think that’s appropriate.”
A BBC spokesperson told the JC: “As the broadcast partner, the BBC will be bringing audiences extensive music coverage from Glastonbury, with artists booked by the festival organisers.
"Whilst the BBC doesn’t ban artists, our plans will ensure that our programming will meet our editorial guidelines. Decisions about our output will be made in the lead up to the festival.”
For its part, Kneecap has consistently denied the allegations against Chara, claiming that is is part of a “smear campaign” orchestrated by “the establishment” designed to “silence” their advocacy relating to Gaza.
Glastonbury has a long history of sometimes contentious political activism, with the event heavily associated with the British left, the climate movement and the pro-Palestine movement.
This year alone there will be at least three events at its Speakers Forum on Gaza and pro- Palestine activism.
Sir Michael Eavis, the co-founder of the festival, told the Glastonbury Free Press: “People that don’t agree with the politics of the event can go somewhere else.”
