LONDON—British counterterrorism detectives are set to examine remarks made by the Irish hip-hop group Kneecap, following criticism from U.K. politicians concerning the group’s statements on Middle Eastern and British political issues. The involvement of law enforcement comes after the group was reported for video footage from a 2024 performance where a member allegedly declared: “The only good Tory is a dead Tory. Kill your local MP.” Further footage from a 2023 concert reportedly captured a band member voicing support for “up Hamas, up Hezbollah,” groups banned in the U.K.
London’s Metropolitan Police confirmed that there are sufficient grounds for further exploration into potential legal breaches linked to these clips. Consequently, the investigation has been handed over to the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command, with ongoing inquiries.
Kneecap, a Belfast-based trio renowned for their satirical lyrics and symbols relating to the Irish republican cause, seeks to reunite Northern Ireland, presently a part of the U.K., with the Republic of Ireland. Northern Ireland has a violent history of conflict, resulting in over 3,600 deaths across three decades involving Irish republican militants, pro-British Loyalists, and U.K. security forces. The band name “Kneecap” refers to a form of punitive justice meted out by paramilitary factions.
Despite their controversial lyrics containing profanities and drug references, Kneecap has played an influential role in revitalizing the Irish-language cultural scene in Northern Ireland, where the language’s standing is still a polarized political topic amid a divided society between British unionists and Irish nationalists. Prior to their cinematic debut in a lively feature film inspired by their origins, Kneecap wasn’t widely recognized beyond Northern Ireland. The film “Kneecap,” featuring its members as themselves, brought attention after winning an audience prize at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival. While the movie was shortlisted for prestigious awards at the Academy Awards, it didn’t receive a final nomination.
Kneecap’s newfound fame in the U.S. included performances at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in California, where they took a bold stance by projecting criticism against Israel, accusing it of genocide against Palestinians, allegedly supported by the U.S. government. The band also encouraged the crowd to chant “Free Palestine.”
Recently, Kneecap was discussed in Britain’s House of Commons, where lawmakers from both sides condemned its controversial remarks, emphasizing the serious nature given the murders of two members of Parliament since 2016. Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s spokesperson, Dave Pares, stated the remarks, deemed “deeply offensive,” were rightly under investigation, noting that political intimidation and abuse have no place in society.
In light of the uproar, Kneecap members Liam Og O Hannaidh, Naoise O Caireallain, and JJ O Dochartaigh issued an apology on Instagram to the families of Jo Cox, a Labour Party lawmaker killed by a far-right extremist in 2016, and David Amess, a Conservative legislator murdered by an Islamic State supporter in 2021. They clarified that their intent was never to cause distress, stressing that they had no affiliations with Hamas or Hezbollah, but accused establishment figures of distorting their comments to stir moral outrage, particularly in light of their critique of Israel’s Gaza actions.
The controversy has led to the cancellation of several Kneecap performances, sparking calls from some British lawmakers for the group’s removal from the upcoming Glastonbury Festival lineup. However, fellow artists have rallied in support of Kneecap, with several dozen, including British rock group Primal Scream, Irish band Fontaines D.C., and mod singer Paul Weller, signing an open letter denouncing what they see as efforts to censor and silence Kneecap, criticizing the political suppression of artistic expression.