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A video featuring the Belfast hip-hop group Kneecap is currently under review by anti-terrorism police in the United Kingdom. The footage, believed to have been recorded in November 2023, reportedly contains a provocative statement made by one of the group’s members, proclaiming, “The only good Tory is a dead Tory. Kill your local MP.” This remarks came during a period when the Conservative Party, colloquially referred to as the Tories, was holding a significant majority in government.
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This development follows reports from last week regarding another video of the band, which appeared to show support for Hamas and Hezbollah. Both organizations are designated as terrorist groups by the U.K. government, making any expressions of support illegal under current anti-terror legislation. Kneecap has not issued any statements concerning these allegations.
On April 27, a spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police stated, “We became aware of a video on April 22, purportedly from a November 2024 event, and have referred it to the Counter Terrorism Internet Referral Unit (CTIRU) for evaluation to ascertain if a further investigation is warranted. Additionally, we have received reports of another video thought to originate from an event in November 2023.” As of now, the band has not faced any formal charges.
A representative from the U.K. government expressed strong disapproval of the remarks made in the video. The representative stated, “We unequivocally condemn any threats directed towards individuals. Intimidation and abuse in politics have no place in our society. We understand the detrimental impact that harassment of elected officials can have on our democratic processes. Every report of such behavior is treated with utmost seriousness, and we collaborate with law enforcement and Parliament to combat threats against elected representatives.”
This incident coincides with the controversy stemming from the band’s performance at Coachella earlier this month. During their show, Kneecap displayed a message asserting, “Israel is committing genocide against the Palestinian people. This is enabled by the U.S. government, which continues to arm and fund Israel despite its war crimes. F–k Israel; free Palestine.”
On Friday, it was reported that the band had parted ways with their U.S. booking agent IAG, amidst calls for their U.S. work visas to be revoked. Sharon Osbourne, known for her association with husband Ozzy Osbourne, commented, “This behavior raises significant concerns about the appropriateness of their participation in such festivals and underscores the issues surrounding their scheduled performances in the U.S.” Kneecap is set to embark on a headline tour across North America this coming October.
The band has claimed on their social media platforms that they are suffering from what they describe as a coordinated smear campaign, asserting that their performances have historically aimed to address the conflict in Gaza. They have hinted at possible legal actions in response to what they label as malicious activities directed against them. Furthermore, Kneecap’s manager, Daniel Lambert, reported that the band has received serious death threats following their Coachella performance.
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