‘Kill your MP’: Irish rap group referred to counter-terror police for the second time

Kneecap, the Irish Republican rap group, has been referred to counter-terror police for a second time after being accused of telling fans “kill your local MP”.

The controversial trio from Belfast were already under investigation after footage emerged from a 2024 gig during which one band member appeared to shout “up Hamas, up Hezbollah”.

The staunchly Republican rap group has been referred to counter-terror police for the second time.

On Saturday night (UK time), the Metropolitan Police confirmed a second video, dating from a London concert in 2023, was also being investigated to see whether it broke terrorism laws. The footage allegedly showed a member of the band saying: “We’re still under British occupation in Ireland. We still have old men in London making decisions that affect my life in Ireland.

“And even worse, they’re f---ing Tories. The only good Tory is a dead Tory. Kill your local MP.”

Downing Street condemned the alleged comments on Saturday night and said such remarks represented a “chilling effect” on democracy.

A Met spokesman said: “We were made aware of a video on April 22, believed to be from an event in November 2024, and it has been referred to the Counter Terrorism Internet Referral Unit for assessment and to determine whether any further police investigation may be required.

“We have also been made aware of another video believed to be from an event in November 2023.”

A spokesman for the British prime minister’s office said: “We unequivocally condemn threatening remarks made towards any individual.

“Political intimidation and abuse must have no place in our society. We recognise the chilling effect that harassment and intimidation of elected representatives can have on our democracy … All reports of intimidation, harassment, and threats are taken extremely seriously. We work with the police and parliament to do everything in our power to crack down on threats to elected officials.”

Britain’s Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy has already said she is planning to crack down on a music grants scheme that gave £14,250 ($29,581) in taxpayer cash to Kneecap last year.

The previous Tory government attempted to block the payment, which prompted Kneecap to launch a legal challenge that was not contested by Labour when it took power.

Founded in 2017, the Northern Irish band’s fame skyrocketed last year following the release of Kneecap, a fictionalised biopic in which the members play themselves.

Since then, their politically driven stunts have continued to attract global attention, including during their final Melbourne show in March, when they briefly brought the cut-off bronze head of King George V on stage. The bronze head had been severed from a 2.7-metre high statue in Melbourne’s Royal Botanic Gardens precinct on King’s Birthday last year, and had been missing ever since. Police confirmed the matter was being investigated.

Condemned across political spectrum

The alleged “kill your local MP” remarks, first unearthed by the Daily Mail, were condemned across the political spectrum on Saturday (UK time).

A spokesman for the Department for Culture, Media and Sport said: “We condemn these appalling comments in the strongest possible terms. It is right that this incident is now being investigated by the relevant authorities.

“As the secretary of state said earlier this week, the music export growth scheme that we inherited from the previous government will now be subject to a comprehensive review.”

Lord Walney, the government’s former extremism adviser, said: “These shocking comments are beyond irresponsible – they are criminal incitement that risk putting MPs in credible danger for their lives … Two MPs have been murdered for ideological reasons in recent years, and we have just come through the most threatening election campaign in living memory. This is very serious, and it is a test case for the police.”

‘Incitement to murder’

Steve Baker, a former Northern Ireland minister, said the comments “appear to be incitement to murder”.

“Peace in Northern Ireland was secured at great cost and compromise. It is a peace to be treasured,” he said. “I am all too aware dissident Republicans do not accept that peace, but I would expect mainstream Nationalists and Republicans to join me in stridently condemning such reckless words.”

Greg Smith, the Tory MP for Buckingham, added: “In the aftermath of two murdered MPs in recent years, it is sickening and appalling that this has been said at a gig – an incitement to violence and murder. Unacceptable.”

Jo Cox, a Labour MP, was shot and stabbed to death on June 16, 2016, by Thomas Mair, a far-right extremist. Sir David Amess, a Tory MP, was killed at a constituency surgery in Southend on October 15, 2021, by Islamist extremist Ali Harbi Ali.

In a statement on social media on Friday (UK time), Kneecap said the group had faced “a coordinated smear campaign” after displaying pro-Palestine and anti-Israel messages at the Coachella music festival.

“The recent attacks against us, largely emanating from the US, are based on deliberate distortions and falsehoods,” the group added. “We are taking action against several of these malicious efforts. The reason Kneecap is being targeted is simple – we are telling the truth, and our audience is growing.”

Kneecap went on to claim critics “weaponise false accusations of anti-Semitism” and accused Israel of “genocide”, claiming many Jews were “outraged … just as we are”.

Kneecap was contacted for further comment.

The Telegraph, with additional reporting by Nell Geraets

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