Despite having agreed terms with the festival’s promoters AEG, a Freedom Of Information request by The Daily Mirror shows that the deal was vetoed by Royal Parks, the body that runs Hyde Park, due to concerns that his lyrics would unsettle other Hyde Park visitors.

The decision was referred to Boris Johnson, however, his chief of staff Sir Edward Lister said: “Until receipt of both emails I had no knowledge of Eminem and his style of music and still do not.” It was then adjudged to be a decision for Royal Parks to make.

The Daily Mirror’s article goes on to speak of how AEG’s Jim King responded to the initial decision by stating “I don’t want to split hairs but I do question how easy it is for any offensive lyrics to be heard and actually understood outside of our event site,” adding that he was not “aware of any other case whereby he has been prevented from performing in the UK”.

The ban of legal highs comes after an ONS report found that the number of deaths due to legal highs had risen by 80%. There were 52 deaths as a result of legal highs last year whilst back in 2007 there were fewer than 10 deaths reported. Certain drugs have also been re-classified from legal highs, with mephedrone (miaow miaow) being classified as a Class-B drug in 2010.

Perhaps one of the more surprising announcements in this report is the rise in the number of people killed due to inhaling helium. The Home Office have taken steps to try and help prevent these deaths and the Association of Independent Festivals seems to be taking steps to ensure the safety of festival goers.

Glastonbury is just the latest in a long line of festivals to take a zero tolerance stance against legal highs by banning on-site traders from selling them. Though this is unlikely to stop legal highs entirely it should have a significant effect on the amount of these products being available to music fans.

Here’s the full list of festivals that have so far banned legal highs;

Glastonbury, T in the Park, Bestival, Lovebox, Global Gathering, Secret Garden Party, Sonisphere, We Are FSTVL, 2000trees, ArcTanGent, Kendal Calling, Festibelly, Blissfields, Truck, Brownstock, Y Not Festival, Tramlines, Belladrum Tartan Heart, Leefest, Nozstock, Wakestock, Shambala, Glasgow Summer Sessions, Parklife, Eden Sessions.