BBC regrets not stopping Glastonbury live stream

The BBC says it regrets not pulling the live stream of Bob Vylan's Glastonbury performance, and the group's comments were "anti-Semitic" and "utterly unacceptable".

"The team were dealing with a live situation but with hindsight we should have pulled the stream during the performance," the BBC said in a statement. "We regret this did not happen."

Rapper Bobby Vylan on Saturday UK time led crowds on the festival's West Holts Stage in chants of "Free, free Palestine" and "Death, death to the IDF (Israel Defence Forces)".

Following the performance, Prime Minister Keir Starmer criticised the chants as "appalling hate speech" and broadcasting regulator Ofcom said it is "very concerned" about the live stream.

The BBC, which issued a warning on screen during the live stream, called Bobby Vylan's comments "deeply offensive".

"The BBC respects freedom of expression but stands firmly against incitement to violence," its statement said, adding that it would look at its guidance around live events.

Ofcom said in its statement that the BBC "clearly has questions to answer", adding: "We have been speaking to the BBC over the weekend and we are obtaining further information as a matter of urgency, including what procedures were in place to ensure compliance with its own editorial guidelines."

The UK rap punk duo has released four albums addressing issues to do with racism, masculinity and class.

Bobby Vylan's real name is Pascal Robinson-Foster, 34, according to reports.

"Teaching our children to speak up for the change they want and need is the only way that we make this world a better place," he said in a statement posted to Instagram.

"As we grow older and our fire starts to possibly dim under the suffocation of adult life and all its responsibilities, it is incredibly important that we encourage and inspire future generations to pick up the torch that was passed to us."