Kneecap gig is ‘a matter for promoter’, says Belfast City Council amid terror police probe

An Alliance MLA was also forced to clarify on social media that he was not defending the Irish trio at the centre of another intense row after footage emerged from a November 2023 gig appearing to show one band member saying: “The only good Tory is a dead Tory. Kill your local MP.”

Today’s News in 90 Seconds – April 28th 2025

Last week, footage emerged of another gig in November last year which seemed to show a band member shouting “up Hamas, up Hezbollah” at a performance at the Kentish Town Forum where a Hezbollah flag was being displayed.

Both Hamas and Hezbollah are banned in the UK and it is a crime to express support for them.

Yesterday, the Met Police confirmed it has been “made aware of a video on April 22, 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”.

“We have also been made aware of another video believed to be from an event in November 2023,” a spokesperson added.

The force is assessing both videos to determine whether further police investigation is required.

DUP MLA Deborah Erskine said those intending to host the band “should surely think again” ahead of their scheduled sold-out appearance at this year’s Belfast Vital festival at Boucher Road Playing Fields on August 29 as special guests of Dublin indie rockers Fontaines DC.

“We await the outcome of the investigation, but in the meantime, those who have bestowed awards on the group should reconsider the recognition given, and those who intend to host Kneecap should surely think again,” she said.

“Is this really the sort of “performance” public bodies or businesses want to be associated with?”.

The Fermanagh and South Tyrone representative labelled the footage as “totally unacceptable” branding the band as “idiotic and attention seeking” while dismissing supporters as “foolish”.

“For many people. the antics of Kneecap are seen as idiotic and attention-seeking, but more and more so we see that there is an underlying hate to the messages they promote.

“The Palace of Westminster has too many memorials to MPs whose lives were taken because of hate, and the promotion of bigotry.

“It is totally unacceptable that “Kill a Tory” be the message from any concert. Right from the inception of this band, their merchandise promoted Police vehicles petrol bombed and their very name has connotations”.

Alliance MLA Danny Donnelly took to social media just before 11pm on Saturday night to tell followers “[it’s] mad to see a party who meets with representatives of proscribed groups complaining about what a rap group says”.

The apparent swipe at the DUP sparked a strong reaction with one X user replying “[It’s] mad how Alliance can condemn a Loyalist band in Lisburn for a tune, but defend a Republican band chanting Up the RA” before going on to refer to Kneecap’s controversial remarks regarding Israel.

Almost 12 hours later, the East Antrim representative posted that he believes the comments referred to are “all wrong” and “that’s not the point I was making”.

“For the avoidance of doubt this tweet was not a defence of Kneecap but merely pointing out it’s not acceptable for politicians to meet proscribed groups,” he posted.

“Nor is it ever acceptable to support a proscribed organisation or call for violence.”

Music festival Glastonbury has been warned to “really check” their line-up of performing artists, as the controversy surrounding Kneecap continued to escalate after reality TV star Sharon Osbourne slammed the group for projecting the words “F**k Israel, Free Palestine” on stage during their Coachella sets earlier this month.

Former Attorney General Michael Ellis has warned that although free speech is a “very important right” it has “always excluded hate speech”.

“Of course, they’re not the first band to attention seek, and so there’s no doubt in what you say is right. People have a right to free speech, but it’s not a new concept to have a right to hate speech,” he told GB News.

Mr Ellis also said, “Glastonbury and other festivals here in the UK have a responsibility to really check bands whose behaviour may cross that line.”

Kneecap is due to perform at the popular festival this summer.

Former DUP First Minister Arlene Foster has also weighed in on the row.

“As someone who has often been the subject of Kneecap’s ‘art’, I welcome the fact that the world is waking up to their desire to promote hatred and division,” she posted on X.

Tickets for the gig in Belfast went on sale last Friday and sold out within a few hours.

In response to the enquiries from the Belfast Telegraph, a spokesperson for Belfast City Council said Kneecap’s appearance was a matter for the event promoters.

“Events programming remains a matter for the promoters, MCD. Any concerns raised by an elected member will be considered by the relevant committee,” they said.

In the last decade, two MPs have been murdered. British Labour MP Jo Cox’s death in 2016 led to additional security measures to all members of Parliament.

A further review took place in 2021 after Conservative Sir David Amess was stabbed to death following him holding performing in his Southend West constituency.

A UK Government spokesman said: “We unequivocally condemn threatening remarks made towards any individual.

“Political intimidation and abuse must have no place in our society. We recognise the chilling effect that harassment and intimidation of elected representatives can have on our democracy.

“All reports of intimidation, harassment and threats are taken extremely seriously. We work with the police and Parliament to do everything in our power to crack down on threats to elected officials.”

Kneecap, made up of Liam Og O Hannaidh, Naoise O Caireallain and JJ O Dochartaigh, alleged on social media they have “faced a co-ordinated smear campaign”, saying their shows have previously “called out” the conflict in Gaza.

They also appeared to suggest they would be taking legal action against the “malicious efforts”.

MCD has been contacted for comment.