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PA MediaThe Metropolitan Police’s counter-terror officials will examine on-line movies appearing rap trio Kneecap calling for the loss of life of British MPs and shouting “up Hamas, up Hezbollah”.
A video emerged of the west Belfast trio at a November 2023 gig the place one individual from the band says: “The only good Tory is a dead Tory. Kill your local MP.”
Both Hamas and Hezbollah are banned in the United Kingdom and this can be a crime to specific reinforce for them.
Kneecap say they’ve by no means supported Hamas or Hezbollah and would now not incite violence in opposition to someone. They say the video in query has been taken out of context.
Some gigs that includes the band had been referred to as off for the reason that video emerged, maximum not too long ago their Plymouth display, which was once cancelled simply two days after it was once introduced.
Organisers cited protection causes, pronouncing that they had “taken advice from relevant authorities and agencies”.
The staff have since introduced new Portsmouth gigs at a special venue.
On Thursday, the Met Police mentioned: “On April 22, we were made aware of an online video believed to be from a music event in London in November 2024.
“Following this, we have been made acutely aware of an extra video, believed to be from some other track match in London in November 2023.
“Both videos were referred to the Counter Terrorism Internet Referral Unit for assessment by specialist officers, who have determined there are grounds for further investigation into potential offences linked to both videos.
“The investigation is now being performed by means of officials from the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command and inquiries stay ongoing right now.”
Getty ImagesIn a commentary previous this week, Kneecap mentioned they rejected “any advice that we’d search to incite violence in opposition to any MP or particular person. Ever.”
The commentary says: “Let us be unequivocal: we don’t, and feature by no means, supported Hamas or Hezbollah”
They said that “an extract of pictures, intentionally taken out of all context, is now being exploited and weaponised, as though it have been a decision to motion”.
Referring to two MPs who have been murdered in the UK in recent years, the trio added: “To the Amess and Cox households, we ship our heartfelt apologies, we by no means supposed to motive you harm.”
A Cabinet minister has said the rap group should not be allowed to perform at Glastonbury festival, where they are listed for the Saturday.
Commons Leader Lucy Powell said that although the final decision would be for the festival organisers, she believed “no-one on this House” would want to see the group at Glastonbury, adding: “We’ll all proceed to mention so loud and transparent.”
ReutersKneecap have faced criticism and commercial consequences after displaying messages about the war in Gaza during their set at US music festival Coachella earlier this month.
They were dropped by their sponsor and booking agent Independent Artist Group (IAG) and former X Factor judge Sharon Osbourne called for Kneecap’s US work visas to be revoked.
Following this, footage emerged from a previous gig, which is now under investigation by counter-terrorism officers.
Artists reinforce Kneecap
A lot of artists have signed a joint commentary in reinforce of Kneecap.
Fontaines DC, Annie Mac, Bicep, Massive Attack, Pulp, Paul Weller and Christy Moore are among the artists who signed the open letter by Kneecap’s record label, Heavenly Recordings.
The statement said there had been a “transparent, concerted try to censor and in the end deplatform” the band.
It accused “senior political figures” in Westminster and the UK media of being “brazenly engaged in a marketing campaign to take away Kneecap from the general public eye”.
“As artists, we really feel the want to sign in our opposition to any political repression of inventive freedom,” the statement added.
“In a democracy, no political figures or political events must have the appropriate to dictate who does and does now not play at track fairs or gigs that might be loved by means of hundreds of other folks.”
Who are Kneecap?
Getty ImagesKneecap are an Irish-speaking rap trio who’ve courted controversy with their provocative lyrics and products.
The group was formed in 2017 by three friends who go by the stage names of Mo Chara, Móglaí Bap and DJ Próvaí.
Their rise to fame inspired a semi-fictionalised film starring Oscar-nominated actor Michael Fassbender.
The movie received a British Academy of Film Award (Bafta) in February 2025.
