Kneecap Issue Apology to Families of Murdered Politicians for ‘Kill Your MPs’ Remarks

Northern Irish hip-hop trio Kneecap have shared a new statement following mounting criticism over resurfaced footage of alleged on-stage comments.

On Monday (Apr. 28), London’s Metropolitan Police confirmed that a clip of the group allegedly calling for the death of British MPs (members of parliament) is being assessed by anti-terror police in the U.K. 

Filmed at a London gig in November 2023, it appears to show one member of the band saying: “The only good Tory is a dead Tory. Kill your local MP.” At the time, the Conservative Party – also known as the Tories – were in government with a large majority.

It followed the news that last week that a video of the band expressing support for Hamas and Hezbollah – both of which are ascribed terror group status by the U.K. government – was also being assessed by the Met. Under anti-terror laws in the country, it is an offence under the Terrorism Act 2000 to “invite support for a proscribed organisation.”

On Sunday, (Apr. 27), a Metropolitan Police spokesman said: “We were made aware of a video on 22 April, 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.” The group are yet to be charged with any offence.

In response, Labour MP for Hemel Hempstead David Taylor and Scotland’s First Minister John Swinney have made public calls for the removal of Kneecap from several summer festival performances, including Glastonbury and TRNSMT in Glasgow.

Now, Kneecap – made up of rappers Liam Óg Ó Hannaidh and Naoise Ó Cairealláin and beat-maker JJ Ó Dochartaigh – have responded with a statement posted to their Instagram page, addressing their alleged support of Hamas, Hezbollah, and promoting violence against British MPs.

“Let us be unequivocal: we do not, and have never, supported Hamas or Hezbollah. We condemn all attacks on civilians, always. It is never okay,” it read. “We know this more than anyone, given our nation’s history. We also reject any suggestion that we would seek to incite violence against any MP or individual. Ever. An extract of footage, deliberately taken out of all context, is now being exploited and weaponised, as if it were a call to action.”

The trio continued, in part: “We also reject any suggestion that we would seek to incite violence against any MP or individual. Ever. An extract of footage, deliberately taken out of all context, is now being exploited and weaponised, as if it were a call to action.”

Elsewhere in the post, Kneecap went on to apologise to the families of Labour MP Jo Cox and Conservative MP Sir David Amess, who recently condemned the band of “inciting violence.” Both MPs were murdered in 2016 and 2021 respectively.

“To the Amess and Cox families, we send our heartfelt apologies, we never intended to cause you hurt,” Kneecap said.

Doubling down on their stance, they concluded: “Kneecap’s message has always been – and remains – one of love, inclusion, and hope. This is why our music resonates across generations, countries, classes and cultures and has brought hundreds of thousands of people to our gigs. No smear campaign will change that.” Read the full statement below.

The new statement comes in the wake of the fall-out following the band’s sets at Coachella earlier this month. During their performance, Kneecap displayed a message stating, “Israel is committing genocide against the Palestinian people. It is being enabled by the U.S. government who arm and fund Israel despite their war crimes. F–k Israel; free Palestine.”

On Friday (Apr. 25), meanwhile, it emerged that the group had split with their U.S. booking agent, IAG, and there have been calls for the group’s U.S. work visas to be revoked. Kneecap are currently scheduled to perform a headline tour in North America this October.