Glastonbury Founder Defends Festival Politics Amid Calls to Cancel Kneecap

Glastonbury Festival founder Sir Michael Eavis has firmly defended the festival's political stance, stating that those who disagree with its politics "can go somewhere else." This comes amid controversy over the scheduled performance of Irish republican rap group Kneecap, whose member Liam O’Hanna is facing court charges related to displaying a Hezbollah flag. Despite calls from political leaders including Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch to remove the band from the lineup, the festival remains committed to its platform of diverse artists and political expression. Sir Michael expressed his ongoing enthusiasm for the festival, praising his daughter Emily Eavis's management and emphasizing the event's continued focus on political and social issues through stages like Left Field and Green Fields' Speakers Forum. Former BBC presenter Gary Lineker is also participating in the festival's debates, promoting unity in a divided world. The festival continues to embrace its tradition as a politically charged cultural event while welcoming artists and audiences from around the world.