BBC director of music ‘stood down’ from duties over Glastonbury controversy

The BBC’s director of music, Lorna Clarke, has reportedly stepped back from her day-to-day duties after controversy over the broadcaster’s decision to live stream punk duo Bob Vylan’s set at Glastonbury Festival.

Lorna Clarke

According to UK reports, Clarke has stepped back from her role, which includes responsibility for radio networks such Radio 1 and Radio 2, as well as music live events and music television commissioning.

Clarke, who has commissioned programming including My Life as a Rolling Stone for BBC Two, has been with the BBC since 1997.

It comes after singer Bobby Vylan led crowds in chants of “death, death to the IDF (Israel Defence Forces)” during Bob Vylan’s performance at Glastonbury Festival on June 28, which was live streamed on iPlayer as part of the pubcaster’s extensive coverage of the event.

The BBC released a statement last week that admitted to errors made in the lead-up to and during Bob Vylan’s appearance, which it had internally flagged as “high risk” along with other acts such as Kneecap, whose performance was not live streamed.

The BBC said: “We deeply regret that such offensive and deplorable behaviour appeared on the BBC and want to apologise to our viewers and listeners and in particular the Jewish community. We are also unequivocal that there can be no place for antisemitism at, or on, the BBC.”

The BBC added: “Given the failings that have been acknowledged we are taking actions to ensure proper accountability for those found to be responsible for those failings in the live broadcast. We will not comment further on those processes at this time.”
The BBC has also changed its approach to live streaming music events, with any music performances deemed high risk no longer being broadcast live or streamed live.

It will also make editorial policy support available on site at major music festivals and events, to improve compliance processes and the speed of available advice.

It will also provide more detailed, practical guidance on the threshold for withdrawing a live stream.