Kneecap, the Belfast rap trio, is under investigation by counter-terrorism police following the emergence of videos in which they allegedly called for the deaths of Members of Parliament (MPs) and made supportive comments about Hamas and Hezbollah. The group has faced backlash, with several gigs cancelled after footage from November 2023 surfaced, showing one of the members shouting “up Hamas, up Hezbollah” and saying, “The only good Tory is a dead Tory. Kill your local MP.”
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In response to the controversy, Kneecap issued an apology to the families of murdered MPs but claimed the footage had been “exploited and weaponised” against them. They stated that they have “never supported” Hamas or Hezbollah, both of which are banned organisations in the UK. The band also maintained that their message has always been one of “love, inclusion, and hope” and that their music has resonated with diverse audiences worldwide. However, the apology has been met with mixed reactions, with some, including Brendan Cox, the widower of murdered MP Jo Cox, criticising the band’s response as insufficient.
The investigation was triggered after the Metropolitan Police became aware of two videos believed to have been recorded at music events in London in November 2023. Specialist officers from the Counter-Terrorism Internet Referral Unit are now conducting further inquiries into the videos to determine if any offences were committed. The investigation is ongoing, with authorities exploring whether the band’s words incite violence and hatred.
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The controversy surrounding Kneecap has prompted calls for the group to be banned from performing at major events such as Glastonbury. Various politicians, including Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch, have called for the band’s removal from the festival line-up, with some arguing that their rhetoric poses a threat to the safety of elected officials. However, a number of artists, including Pulp and Paul Weller, have defended Kneecap, accusing politicians of using moral outrage to silence the group, while others, such as Sharon Osbourne, have insisted that the band should not be allowed to perform at such high-profile events.
