BBC won’t live stream Glastonbury act after Starmer called for ban | TV & Radio | Showbiz & TV

Kneecap’s Glastonbury Festival set will not be live-streamed on BBC iPlayer, the corporation has confirmed. It comes after Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said their performance would not be “appropriate” after one of the members was charged with a terror offence.

A BBC spokesperson stated: “As the broadcast partner, the BBC is bringing audiences extensive music coverage from Glastonbury, with artists booked by the festival organisers.

“While the BBC doesn’t ban artists, our plans ensure that our programming meets our editorial guidelines.

“We don’t always live-stream every act from the main stages and look to make an on-demand version of Kneecap’s performance available on our digital platforms, alongside more than 90 other sets.”

The BBC needs to consider the performance by the band before making a final decision.

Kneecap said on social media: “The propaganda wing of the regime has just contacted us… They WILL put our set from Glastonbury today on the iPlayer later this evening for your viewing pleasure.”

Rapper Liam Og O’Annaidh, who performs under the stage name Mo Chara, was charged with allegedly displaying a flag in support of the proscribed terrorist organisation Hezbollah, while saying “up Hamas, up Hezbollah” at a gig in November last year.

Earlier this month, the 27-year-old was cheered by hundreds of supporters as he arrived with bandmates Naoise O Caireallain and JJ O Dochartaigh at Westminster Magistrates’ Court in Free Mo Chara T-shirts.

He was released on unconditional bail until the next hearing, which falls on August 20.

Kneecap will perform on Sunday afternoon in what could be one of the most controversial sets in the Somerset festival’s history.

The group, which hails from Ireland, are performing at 4pm on the West Holts stage.

Organiser Emily Eavis said ahead of the festival starting: “There have been a lot of really heated topics this year, but we remain a platform for many, many artists from all over the world and, you know, everyone is welcome here.”

Glastonbury can be listened to on BBC Radio stations or watched on BBC Two and BBC iPlayer.