BBC News ni
PA mediaThe counter-terror officers of the Metropolitan Police will investigate videos online allegedly showing the Rap Kneecap trio asking for the death of British parliamentarians and shouting “Hamas, by Hezbollah.”
A video emerged from the West Belfast Trio in November 2023, appears to show a person from the band that says: “The only good Tory is a dead Tory. He kills his local deputy.”
Both Hamas and Hezbollah are prohibited in the United Kingdom and it is a crime to express their support for them.
Some concerts with the band have canceled from the leg in the controversy.
On Thursday, with the police he said: “On April 22, they informed us of an online video that is believed to be a musical event in London in November 2024.
“After this, they informed us of another video, it is believed that it is from another musical event in London in November 2023.
“Both videos were referred to the terrorism Internet reference unit for the evaluation by specialized officers, who have determined that there are reasons for greater investigation into possible crimes linked to both videos.
“The investigation is now being carried out by the command officers and the against terrorism of the MET at this time.”
In a statement earlier this week, Kneecap said they rejected “any suggestion that we would see violence against any parliamentarian or individual.
They claim that “an extract of images, deliberate tasks of the entire context, is now exploited and armed with the bee, as if it were a call to action.”
Referring to two parliamentarians who have murdered in the United Kingdom in the United Kingdom in recent years, the trio added: “To the Amess and Cox families, we send our sincere apologies, we never had the intention of causing injuries.”
Kneecap has faced criticism and commercial consequences after showing messages about the war in the duration of Gaza, its set in Us Music Festival Coachella earlier this month.
They were withdrawn by their sponsor and reserve agent of the group of independent artists (IAG) and the former Judge of X Factor Sharon Osbourne asking that Kneecap’s US work visas will revoke.
After this, the images arose from a previous concert, which is now under investigation by anti -terrorist officers.
ReutersSeveral artists have signed a joint statement in Support or Kneecap.
Fontaines DC, Annie Mac, Biceps, Massive Attack, Pulp, Paul Weller and Christy Moore are among the artists who signed the open letter for the Kneecap record label, Heavenly Recordings.
The statement said there had been a “clear and concerted attempt to censor and, ultimately, depend on the band.”
He accused “senior political figures” in Westminster and the United Kingdom’s media for being “openly committed to a campaign to eliminate the public eye bruit.”
“As artists, we feel the need to register our opposition to any political repression of artistic freedom,” the statement added.
“In a democracy, no political figures or political parties should have the right to dictate who is touched and not at music festivals or concerts that will enjoy thousands of people.”
Who are Kneecap?
Kneecap is an Irish -speaking rap trio that has courted the controversy with its provocative letter and merchandise.
The group was formed in 2017 by three friends who go by the artisanal names of Mo Chara, BAP and DJ Próvaí.
His rise to fame inspired a semi -inflicted film starring the actor nominated for Oscar Michael Fassbender.
The film won an award to the British Film Academy (BAFTA) in February 2025.
