What The Northern Echo says about Bob Vylan and Glastonbury

However, there have always been legal limits to what is permissible and the right of freedom of speech has always had to be balanced against the constraints that the state feels are needed to protect every citizen and maintain order.

There were moments when it felt as though those limits were exceeded at this weekend’s Glastonbury Festival and it is right that Avon and Somerset Police have confirmed they are reviewing footage of comments made by acts on the West Holts Stage to see if “any offences may have been committed that would require a criminal investigation”.

Glastonbury Festival organisers have said they were “appalled” by comments made by punk duo Bob Vylan on Saturday, calling for “death” to the Israeli military.

The musical world has always had a space for those who are provocative and challenging. Like everyone else, though, musicians must abide by the law. And even freedom of expression has to have its limits.