COUNTER-terror police will investigate online videos allegedly showing Northern Irish rap trio Kneecap calling for the death of British MPs and shouting “up Hamas, up Hezbollah”.
The group have dominated the news agenda this week after a clip from a gig in November 2023 emerged where a member says : “The only good Tory is a dead Tory. Kill your local MP.”
In another video from November 2024 a member of the band appeared to shout “up Hamas, up Hezbollah”. Both groups are banned as terrorist organisations in the UK.
Earlier this week counter-terror police said they were assessing the footage but it has now been confirmed officers have determined there are grounds for further investigation "into potential offences linked to both videos".
In a statement, the Metropolitan 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.
“Both videos were referred to the Counter Terrorism Internet Referral Unit for assessment by specialist officers, who have determined there are grounds for further investigation into potential offences linked to both videos.
“The investigation is now being carried out by officers from the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command and inquiries remain ongoing at this time.”
Video has emerged from a November 2023 gig appearing to show one member of the trio saying: “The only good Tory is a dead Tory. Kill your local MP.”
The rap trio said earlier this week they have never supported Hamas or Hezbollah and condemned all attacks on civilians, apologising to the families of murdered MPs Jo Cox and Sir David Amess, saying “we never intended to cause you hurt”.
They said a video extract had been deliberately taken out of context and was being “exploited and weaponised”.
