Kneecap win legal challenge over Badenoch grant block

Irish language rap group Kneecap have won their legal challenge over a decision by former business secretary Kemi Badenoch to refuse them a £14,250 funding award.

- JONATHAN MCCAMBRIDGE

The UK government was forced to concede the decision was "unlawful". The band had launched legal action claiming the decision to refuse the grant discriminated against them on the grounds of nationality and political opinion.

During a brief hearing at Belfast High Court yesterday, Mr Justice Scoffield said he was glad that the two sides in the case had reached agreement. Reading an agreed statement, barrister for Kneecap Ronan Lavery KC said: “It is declared that the decision is unlawful, procedurally unfair, took into account immaterial considerations and failed to take into account relevant factors.”

It was agreed that the sum of £14,250 would be paid by the government to the group. The west Belfast hip-hop artists had applied for a grant allocated to support UK-registered artists in global markets. Their application to the Music Export Growth Scheme had been approved by the British Phonographic Industry.