Met to investigate rappers Kneecap

KNEECAP is being investigated by counter-terrorism police after videos emerged allegedly showing the band calling for the deaths of MPs and shouting “up Hamas, up Hezbollah”.

- CHARLOTTE MCLAUGHLIN

The Belfast rap trio has had several gigs cancelled - including one at Cornwall's Eden Sessions and one at Plymouth, just two days after it was announced - 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, both banned organisations in the UK.

Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch called for Kneecap to be banned while other politicians pushed for the group to be dropped from the Glastonbury Festival.

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.