LONDON (AP) – British police announced on Thursday that counterterrorism detectives are opening an investigation into comments made by the Irish hip-hop group Kneecap, which have sparked criticism from U.K. politicians, particularly regarding statements about the Middle East and British politics.
The Northern Ireland-based group, known for performing in Irish, is facing scrutiny over a performance from a concert in 2024 where one member seemingly declared, “The only good Tory is a dead Tory. Kill your local MP.” Additionally, footage from a 2023 concert showed another member shouting, “up Hamas, up Hezbollah,” both organizations being banned in the U.K.
The Metropolitan Police in London stated that the videos had been referred to the Counter Terrorism internet Referral Unit for review by specialized officers. Following an assessment, they found sufficient grounds to initiate a more extensive investigation concerning potential offenses linked to both incidents.
The inquiry is currently underway by officers from the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command, and they have confirmed that investigations remain ongoing. Kneecap is recognized for their satirical lyrics and the incorporation of symbols associated with the Irish republican movement, which aims to unite Northern Ireland, part of the U.K., with the Republic of Ireland. The violent conflict in Northern Ireland, which lasted over three decades, resulted in more than 3,600 deaths involving Irish republican militants, pro-British Loyalist groups, and U.K. security forces.
Kneecap’s statements faced backlash in the House of Commons this week, where both government and opposition MPs expressed concern, especially in light of the murders of two Members of Parliament since 2016. In an Instagram statement, the band members—Liam Og O Hannaidh, Naoise O Caireallain, and JJ O Dochartaigh—extended their apologies to the families of Jo Cox, a Labour Party lawmaker fatally attacked by a far-right extremist in 2016, and David Amess, a Conservative MP killed in 2021 by a supporter of the Islamic State.
The group conveyed that they “never intended to cause you hurt,” emphasizing their lack of support for Hamas or Hezbollah. They accused “establishment figures” of distorting their comments to create “moral hysteria” due to the band’s condemnation of Israeli actions against Palestinians in Gaza.
The controversy has resulted in the cancellation of several of Kneecap's gigs, with some British lawmakers calling for the organizers of June’s Glastonbury Festival to revoke the group’s scheduled performance. However, they have also received support from fellow musicians. Numerous artists, including the British rock band Primal Scream, the Irish band Fontaines D.C., and mod singer Paul Weller, have signed an open letter objecting to what they describe as a “clear, concerted attempt to censor and ultimately deplatform” Kneecap, thus standing against the political repression of artistic expression.
