Bob Vylan Wins Apology And Damages From ‘Manchester Evening News’ Over False Nazi Salute Claim
After being dropped by their management, having their US Visas revoked and a bunch of shows cancelled, it looks like Bob Vylan have finally picked up a Win after successfully suing Manchester Evening News for defamation.
Bob Vylan singer Pascal Robinson secured a public apology and substantial damages from Reach plc, publishers of the Manchester Evening News (MEN), after the outlet falsely accused him of performing Nazi salutes during live performances.
It turns out this “Nazi salute” is part of a pre-show ritual that Bob Vylan does at every gig; a guided light stretching and meditation routine.
The ritual involves a sun salutation, where Vylan raises his left arm while placing his right hand over his heart, turning to face all four corners of the room to” connect” with the crowd.
The MEN got their wires crossed and thought it was a Nazi salute, describing it as so in an article published on October 6, 2025, titled: “Jewish leaders and MPs ‘deeply concerned’ over Bob Vylan gig in Manchester.”
The article alleged that Robinson had “performed Nazi salutes on stage” — an accusation described by his legal team as “extremely serious and damaging.”
It appears Vylan has got his money’s worth with Rahman Lowe Solicitors, as Reach plc has now:
– Issued a full correction and apology on the MEN website and its official X account
– Acknowledged the gesture was a sun salutation, not a Nazi salute
– Paid substantial damages and covered Robinson’s legal costs
– Committed never to repeat the allegation
Manchester Evening News’s published apology reads: “Our article… included a statement that the band Bob Vylan had ‘performed Nazi salutes on stage’. The band’s singer, Pascal Robinson, has informed us – and we accept – that the gesture in question was in fact a sun salutation, performed by him as part of ‘guided light stretching and meditation’ at the start of all Bob Vylan shows. We are happy to correct the record and apologise to Mr Robinson, and Bob Vylan, for the error.”
Speaking after the settlement, Bob Vylan said: “To have something rooted in mindfulness, peace and connection distorted into a symbol of hate was both painful and outrageous. Our art has always stood against oppression in all its forms — racism, fascism, and discrimination — and we will never stop using our platform to speak truth to power. We’re grateful to Rahman Lowe for defending our integrity. The truth matters, and we’re glad it’s now been recognised.”
Well, good for him really. There’s a lot of things you can accuse Bob Vylan of, but accusing him of doing Nazi salutes at his gigs is not one of the them. I mean, the guy was already receiving enough bad press as it is without a paper having to make things up to smear him.
Fair play to Bob Vylan for standing up for himself and making MEN pay for it. Would be interesting to know how much in damages he was awarded exactly? Wonder if it makes up for the financial loss over all those cancelled gigs.
For the time Bob Vylan came under fire for seemingly celebrating the death of Charlie Kirk, click HERE.
