The Belfast rap trio has had several gigs cancelled after footage appeared to show one of them shouting “up Hamas, up Hezbollah” in November last year.
Video from November 2023 also appeared to show one member of the group saying: “The only good Tory is a dead Tory. Kill your local MP.”
The group apologised on Monday to the families of murdered MPs but claimed footage of the incident had been “exploited and weaponised”, while they also said they have “never supported” Hamas or Hezbollah, which are both banned organisations in the UK.
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch has called for Kneecap to be banned while other politicians pushed for the group to be dropped from the Glastonbury Festival line-up.
On Thursday, the Met Police said: “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 were made aware of a further video, believed to be from another music event 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 carried out by officers from the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command and inquiries remain ongoing at this time.”
In a statement posted on Instagram on Monday, the group, comprising Liam Óg Ó Hannaidh, Naoise Ó Cairealláin and JJ Ó Dochartaigh, addressed the families of Sir David Amess and Jo Cox, saying “we never intended to cause you hurt”, and that they “reject any suggestion that we would seek to incite violence against any MP or individual”.
It added: “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. No smear campaign will change that.”
Brendan Cox, whose wife was murdered in 2016, called the statement “only half an apology” in an interview with BBC Radio Ulster. He said the band did not grapple “enough with the gravity” of what they had allegedly said.
The daughter of Mr Amess, who was stabbed to death in 2021, suggested the trio had been “badly advised”.
Katie Amess said the statement was “deflection and excuses and gaslighting”, and that it would be “very dangerous” for the group to perform at Glastonbury.
Following the investigation being launched, she also said their “rhetoric is not only abhorrent but poses a direct threat to the safety and well-being of elected officials and the democratic institutions they represent”.
Ms Amess urged a “thorough investigation to determine the full extent of any criminal activity” and said it “is imperative that individuals and groups are held accountable for their words and actions that incite violence and hatred”.
In a joint statement, artists including Pulp, Paul Weller, former BBC Radio 1 DJ Annie Mac and Primal Scream have defended the band, and said there is a “clear, concerted attempt to censor and ultimately deplatform” Kneecap.
It said politicians are “strategically concocting moral outrage over the stage utterings of a young punk band” while ignoring a “genocide” in Gaza, following the band calling attention to the war at Coachella.
Elsewhere, former X Factor judge Sharon Osbourne said the group should be banned from the Glastonbury line-up.
“I pray that they are [banned]. And if they’re not, shame on Glastonbury, because Glastonbury, again, is for peace”, she told Piers Morgan Uncensored.
Meanwhile, their scheduled performance at the Eden Project in Cornwall has been axed, while ticket websites for three gigs in Germany said the shows in the country have been cancelled.
After their Cornwall gig was cancelled, Kneecap, who go by the names Móglaí Bap, Mo Chara and DJ Próvaí, announced they would be playing in Plymouth on the date they were due to play at the Eden Project.
On Thursday, a note on the Plymouth Pavilions’ website said the concert had been scrapped and hours later music venue The Depo, also based in Plymouth, announced it would be holding three Kneecap gigs at the beginning of July.
Glastonbury founder Sir Michael Eavis has been encouraged to remove Kneecap from the event by the Board of Deputies of British Jews.
“Words and images like this matter – they have an effect – and awarding those who make these statements with a platform to perform risks making these views appear more acceptable and even accepted,” Andrew Gilbert, the vice president of the board, said.
Festivals in the Netherlands and Czech Republic said they are “monitoring the situation”.
A spokesperson for Paradiso Festival in Amsterdam said: “We are following the news around Kneecap and are aware of the investigation currently being conducted by the Counter Terrorism Police.
“We will see what comes out of that investigation. We will then take the investigation results into consideration and decide if it has consequences for the shows at Paradiso.”
Rock for People in the Czech Republic said in a statement: “We understand your concerns. We will monitor the situation and will consider next steps.”
When asked about Kneecap’s comment at a launch event for the Live Aid musical, Irish singer Bob Geldof said: “I don’t know what they’ve said, great music, but I don’t know what they’ve said so I can’t comment on that.”
Kneecap have been contacted for comment.
#Counterterror #police #launch #investigation #Kneecap #kill #video
