ENGLISH JOURNALIST LOUIS Theroux has had his podcast’s sponsorship from British Airways paused after he had a sit-down interview with the frontman of controversial punk-rap duo Bob Vylan.

The duo were the focus of condemnation and public attention after their performance at Glastonbury earlier this year.

Within their set, frontman Bobby Vylan, whose real name is Pascal Robinson-Foster, had chanted “Death, death to the IDF” in reference to the Israeli Defence Forces and its crimes committed against Palestinians in Gaza.

The performance was broadcast live on the BBC, which apologised for the airing of the content. 

In Theroux’s interview with Robinson-Foster, which was broadcast earlier this week, the musician said he did not regret the chant and would repeat it “again tomorrow and twice on Sundays”.

The two spoke about Palestine and the reaction from politicians and certain media outlets to the chant. The band had a number of gigs cancelled in the wake of the fallout.

Theroux’s podcast ‘The Louis Theroux Podcast’ had been sponsored by British Airways, but the airline said it has now paused its sponsorship since the interview, which it said was in breach of its policy.

“Our sponsorship of the series has now been paused and the advert has been removed,” a spokesperson said.

“We’re grateful that this was brought to our attention, as the content clearly breaches our sponsorship policy in relation to politically sensitive or controversial subject matters.

“We and our third-party media agency have processes in place to ensure these issues don’t occur and we’re investigating how this happened.”

Bob Vylan’s X account responded to a news report of the sponsorship being paused and said: “They thought they were going to get a dumb angry punk ranting. Instead they got articulate and considered responses to each question with facts to back it up when needed.

“Their hope to further vilify me couldn’t run, so they target Louis to make an example for sitting with me.

“The lobby groups, the British government and media are determined to make an example of me, all because I dare to want an end to a genocidal occupying force guilty of war crimes.”