Following the news that a November 2023 video of a gig by Northern Irish rap group Kneecap was under investigation by the Metropolitan Police’s counter-terror unit, the daughter of a British MP who was stabbed to death in 2021 spoke out against the band.
The clip allegedly sees the trio – made up of Móglaí Bap, Mo Chara and DJ Próvaí – calling for the death of Conservative MPs, with one member of the group alleged to have said: “The only good Tory is a dead Tory. Kill your local MP.”
Katie Amess, whose father Sir David Amess was a Conservative MP when he was murdered in 2021 by Islamic State member Ali Harbi Ali, said she was “absolutely gobsmacked at the stupidity of somebody or a group of people being in the public eye and saying such dangerous, violent rhetoric”.
Amess went on to say that Kneecap should apologise to her and that she was prepared to meet the band: “If they are willing to listen to how my life has been obliterated and will never be the same, for them to say those words is obviously very triggering. I’m sure deep down they are nice people, hopefully they just made a mistake and are going to apologise for it.”
Now, Kneecap have offered their apologies to the families of murdered MPs Sir David Amess and Jo Cox – who was fatally stabbed in 2016 – saying that they “reject any suggestion that we would seek to incite violence against any MP or individual. Ever. An extract of footage, deliberately taken out of all context, is now being exploited and weaponised, as if it were a call to action.”
The band added: “To the Amess and Cox families, we send our heartfelt apologies, we never intended to cause you hurt. Kneecap’s message has always been – and remains – one of love, inclusion, and hope. This is why our music resonates across generations, countries, classes and cultures and has brought hundreds of thousands of people to our gigs.”
The band have also said they are facing a “co-ordinated smear campaign” after speaking out about “the ongoing genocide against the Palestinian people”.
Kneecap said: “Let us be unequivocal: we do not, and have never, supported Hamas or Hezbollah. We condemn all attacks on civilians, always. It is never okay. We know this more than anyone, given our nation’s history.”
These comments come after a November 2024 video resurfaced, allegedly showing a member of Kneecap shouting: “Up Hamas, up Hezbollah” – referencing groups which are banned as terrorist organisations in the UK.
A Metropolitan Police spokesman said: “We were made aware of a video on 22 April, believed to be from an event in November 2024, and it has been referred to the counter-terrorism internet referral unit for assessment and to determine whether any further police investigation may be required.”
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch has demanded the prosecution of the rap trio and said it was a good thing that the police were looking into the allegations.
“Kneecap’s glorification of terrorism and anti-British hatred has no place in our society,” said Badenoch, adding: “Now footage shows one of them saying: ‘The only good Tory is a dead Tory. Kill your local MP’. After the murder of Sir David Amess, this demands prosecution.”
Downing Street has described the alleged comments as “completely unacceptable” and police are investigating.
No member of Kneecap has been charged with any offences.
On Monday, the First Minister of Scotland, John Swinney, backed calls for the band to be axed from Glasgow’s TRNSMT music festival this summer. North Antrim MP and leader of the TUV Jim Allister said he had written to organisers of the Glastonbury Festival asking them to drop Kneecap.
ADVEReadNOWISEMENTAt time of writing, the band’s appearances at Glastonbury, TRNSMT and other European festivals remain scheduled.