Abigail Taylor from BBC News NI reports that the Metropolitan Police’s counter-terror officers are launching an investigation into online videos featuring rap trio Kneecap advocating for the death of British MPs and expressing support for Hamas and Hezbollah. The trio, hailing from west Belfast, faced backlash after footage from a November 2023 gig surfaced, where a member of the band can be heard saying, “The only good Tory is a dead Tory. Kill your local MP.” Both Hamas and Hezbollah are outlawed in the UK, making it illegal to endorse them. Kneecap denies backing these organizations and disavows any call for violence against individuals, asserting that the video was taken out of context.
Following the emergence of the controversial video, several of Kneecap’s scheduled performances were canceled, including their Plymouth show, axed just two days after its announcement. The Metropolitan Police confirmed the referral of the videos to the Counter Terrorism Internet Referral Unit, which found substantial grounds for a deeper probe into potential offenses associated with the material. Desperate to clarify their stance, Kneecap released a statement vehemently rejecting allegations of inciting violence against MPs or anyone else, while also reiterating their non-support for Hamas and Hezbollah, emphasizing that the contentious video fragment was twisted and exploited out of context.
In response to the uproar, Cabinet minister Lucy Powell called for Kneecap to be barred from performing at Glastonbury festival, where they were slated to appear on Saturday. The Commons Leader asserted that the group’s presence at the renowned festival would be unwelcome. Kneecap’s troubles escalated earlier this month at the Coachella music festival in the US, where they exhibited messages referencing the conflict in Gaza, leading to repercussions such as getting dropped by their sponsor and booking agent. Additionally, former X Factor judge Sharon Osbourne joined the fray, advocating for the revocation of Kneecap’s US work visas.
An outpouring of support came from fellow artists, including Fontaines DC, Annie Mac, and Massive Attack, who signed a joint statement backing Kneecap and decrying attempts to silence the band. The artists expressed concerns over what they perceived as political interference in artistic expression, emphasizing the need to safeguard artistic freedom from censorship by political figures and media entities. Kneecap, an Irish-speaking rap ensemble, have been no strangers to controversy due to their confrontational lyrics and merchandise. Formed in 2017, the trio comprises Mo Chara, Móglaí Bap, and DJ Próvaí, with their meteoric rise inspiring a fictionalized film starring Michael Fassbender that earned critical acclaim and a British Academy of Film Award (Bafta) in February 2025
Read the full article from The BBC here: Read More
