British music group Massive Attack have come out in support of Kneecap after one of the rap group's members called for the murder of Conservative MPs.
A video from a November 2023 concert has emerged online, in which one of the Irish trio apparently declares: “The only good Tory is a dead Tory. Kill your local MP.”
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch called for Kneecap to be banned, while some other politicians pushed for the band to be removed from the Glastonbury festival line-up.
A post on Massive Attack's Instagram page on Wednesday stressed: “Language certainly matters. The horrific murders of politicians Jo Cox and David Emess highlight that there is no room for frivolity or recklessness in this matter.”
It also noted that politicians were “strategically creating moral outrage over the stage utterances of a young punk band” while ignoring the “genocide” in Gaza.
The statement added: “The kneecap is not the problem. Gaza is the problem. Genocide is the problem.
“And the silence, the connivance and the support of these crimes against humanity by the elected British government is a real problem.
“Solidarity with all artists who show moral courage to speak out against Israeli war crimes and the ongoing persecution and murder of the Palestinian population.”
The announcement comes after the Metropolitan Police began investigating the video clip, as well as other footage from a November 2024 concert, at which one of the Kneecap members appeared to chant “Up Hamas, up Hezbollah” – groups designated as terrorist organisations in the UK.
Meanwhile, the Irish rap trio's performance at the Eden Project in Cornwall has been cancelled, with a spokesperson for Eden Sessions saying ticket holders will be contacted directly and given a refund.
According to BBC News, three concerts by the band Kneecap have also been cancelled in Germany.
Ministers have put pressure on Glastonbury festival organisers to remove the band from their line-up.
In a statement posted on Instagram, the group, which includes Liam Óg Ó Hannaid, Naoise Ó Cairellain and JJ Ó Docarthaigh, offered condolences to the families of Sir David Ames and Jo Cox, saying: “It was never our intention to cause you pain” and saying they “reject any suggestion that we seek to incite violence against any MP or individual.”
It also emphasizes: “Kneecap’s message has always been and remains one of love, inclusion and hope. That is why our music resonates across generations, countries, classes and cultures and brings hundreds of thousands of people to our concerts. No smear campaign can change that.”
They clarified that they “never supported” Hamas or Hezbollah.
Labour MP Ms Cox was killed by knife and gunshot in 2016, while Tory Sir David was killed in 2021.
Sir David's daughter Katie Emess suggested the trio had been given “bad advice” as their statement was “deflective, excusing and gaslighting”.
She also noted that it would be “very dangerous” for the band to perform at Glastonbury.
The prime minister's spokesman said: “They should apologise. I think you saw what they said, I think it was disingenuous.
“We completely and categorically reject their comments, particularly regarding MPs and intimidation, and of course the situation in the Middle East.
“It is right that the police are investigating these videos.”
Speaking to RTE's Prime Time on Tuesday, the band's manager Daniel Lambert said: “We are in a state of moral hysteria and moral outrage at the moment and the band have a higher moral responsibility than politicians who ignore international law.”
He added: “And
Sourse: breakingnews.ie
