Police Drop Kneecap Glastonbury Probe Over Insufficient Evidence
LONDON — Avon and Somerset Police have officially closed a criminal investigation into performances by Irish rap group Kneecap and UK punk-rap duo Bob Vylan at this year’s Glastonbury Festival, citing insufficient evidence to proceed with charges.
The probe was launched following controversial back-to-back sets by both acts on the festival’s West Holts stage on Day 4 of the June 25–29 event.
In May, a member of Kneecap was charged with a terrorism offence for allegedly displaying a Hezbollah flag during an earlier gig — an offence under UK law as the group is designated a terrorist organization. The accused denies the charge.
At Glastonbury, the Belfast-based group led chants against British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, while Bob Vylan’s set included chants of “death to the IDF,” a reference to Israel’s military forces.
On Friday, the police confirmed the case was being dropped after consulting with the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS).
“After that advice, we have decided to take no further action because there is insufficient evidence to provide a realistic prospect of conviction for any offence,” read the police statement.
However, authorities added that inquiries into Bob Vylan’s set are still ongoing.
Responding to the announcement, Kneecap criticized the initial investigation as politically driven.
“Every single person who saw our set knew no law was broken, not even close….yet the police saw fit to publicly announce they were opening an investigation,” the group said in a post on Instagram.
The incident has sparked renewed debate around freedom of expression and artistic performance at major cultural events.
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