Punk rapper Bobby Vylan, whose real name is Pascal Robinson-Foster, will face no further action from the Metropolitan Police following an investigation into chanting "death, death to the IDF" at an Al Quds Day demonstration in central London on March 15.
Members of the crowd also appeared to join in the chant during the event, which saw 12 arrests. The performance echoed a similar chant by the artist at the Glastonbury Festival in 2025, which was broadcast on the BBC.
A spokesperson for the Met Police stated that the force was made aware of the chanting and launched an investigation, acknowledging the concerns caused, particularly among London's Jewish communities. After seeking early investigative advice from the Crown Prosecution Service, officers concluded that no further action would be taken. The police stated they continue to work with community representatives to ensure the safety of Jewish Londoners.
Robinson-Foster posted a statement on social media indicating he would not be "intimidated" by the investigation. He described "harassment by the Met Police" including multiple investigations and unnecessary sharing of his image internally. He affirmed, "Despite all of this, I will not be intimidated. We continue!"
Following the 2025 Glastonbury performance, Vylan, who is one half of the punk rap duo Bob Vylan, was dropped from several festivals and events. In October, Robinson-Foster told the Louis Theroux Podcast that he was "not regretful" of the chant and would "do it again tomorrow."
The BBC faced criticism for livestreaming the Glastonbury performance, issuing a statement afterward that the act was deemed suitable for live broadcast but that this "clearly [was] not the case," apologizing for the group's "offensive and deplorable behaviour."
The Campaign Against Antisemitism called the BBC's decision to broadcast Bob Vylan an "outrageous decision" and demanded an apology and accountability for those responsible.
In July, the duo announced plans to take legal action against the BBC over the controversy surrounding their Glastonbury performance. The BBC declined to comment.
Avon and Somerset Police had opened a criminal investigation into the Glastonbury incident but announced in December that no further action would be taken.
The Al Quds Day rally, organized by the Islamic Human Rights Commission, saw demonstrators congregating for prayers and displaying placards. The march was curtailed by authorities due to the "risk of serious disorder." The Metropolitan Police used the Thames as a buffer to separate pro-Iran demonstrators from a counter-protest.
During the demonstration, one young man holding a sign that read "boom boom Tel Aviv" stated he supported the bombing of Israel due to "genocide and paedophiles," and that his sign meant "Bombing the s*** out of Tel Aviv." He was arrested along with 11 others.
Bob Vylan addressed the crowd, accusing the West of being run by "cold-hearted monsters" and the government of "gaslighting" protesters, while branding the police "pigs" and accusing the Met Commissioner of refusing to meet with pro-Palestine march organizers. He concluded his speech by repeating the chant "Death, Death, Death, to the IDF."
Al-Quds Day, originating in Iran in 1979, has been observed in London for 40 years. This year's event in London saw demonstrators holding signs such as "No2Nato No2War" and displaying pictures of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and his successor, Mojtaba Khamenei.