Calls to ban Bob Vylan from Boardmasters

Hundreds of people have called upon Cornwall councillors to ban a controversial punk-rap duo from appearing at the Boardmasters festival.

Bob Vylan sparked controversy after leading anti-Israeli military chants at Glastonbury Festival during a televised performance in June.

Cornwall Council agreed to hold a licensing hearing following a public complaint, but not until after the band has appeared at the Newquay event on 10 August. It has since received almost 300 complaints in a "concerted campaign", says councillor Dulcie Tudor, with many understood to have come from outside the county.

A Boardmasters spokesperson said the festival did not "tolerate hate speech" or "incitement to violence".

Ms Tudor added: "It's more than the most-controversial planning application."

Despite pressure on the council to bring the licensing hearing forward, it said it was unable to do so because of licensing hearing regulations, including a 20-day consultation period.

Councillor Leigh Frost, the council leader, said he would respond to every person who had contacted him, to thank them for "raising concerns" and would invite them to contribute to the licence review.

According to the council's licensing department, the only organisation with the power to intervene is Devon and Cornwall Police.

However, the force has previously said decisions about who performs at the festival are down to the festival's organisers.

A police spokesperson said: "Our priority is the safety of those attending, those working at the event and the local communities, and we will take proportionate action in relation to reported crimes or incidents.

"We look forward to welcoming Boardmasters back to Cornwall in August."

A Boardmasters spokesperson said the festival did not "tolerate hate speech, incitement to violence or behaviour that puts anyone at risk".

"Boardmasters is committed to being a space where people from all backgrounds feel welcome and safe," they said.

The festival said its decision to proceed with the performance reflected "a balance of factors".

"We have been clear with the band and their representatives about our expectations," the spokesperson said.

Following the Glastonbury controversy, Bob Vylan said they had been "targeted for speaking up".

An Instagram post said: "We are not for the death of Jews, Arabs or any other race or group of people. We are for the dismantling of a violent military machine.

"We are a distraction from the story and whatever sanctions we receive will be a distraction."

Other artists have come out in support of the band, including Massive Attack and Brian Eno, claiming they have been subjected to "aggressive, vexatious campaigns" by pro-Israel advocates.