THE Metropolitan Police have confirmed that they will not charge Kneecap over a video where one of the band’s members appears to say, “kill your local MP”.
Footage of the group at a November 2023 gig emerged online in April, where it appeared to show one member of the Irish rap trio saying: “The only good Tory is a dead Tory. Kill your local MP.”
The charge dropped by the Met Police is separate from the ongoing case against Liam Og O hAnnaidh where he has been accused of allegedly displaying a flag in support of the proscribed terrorist organisation Hezbollah at a gig in 2024.
In April, the Met Police said they were investigating the incident along with footage reportedly from a gig a year later in London's Kentish Town Forum.
The force has now confirmed to The National that its investigation into the video footage from the November 2023 performance has been completed and no charges will be made against the band, due to the statutory time limit for prosecution expiring.
In a statement, a Metropolitan Police spokesperson added that detectives interviewed an individual under caution but based on current evidence available, a decision has been made that no further action will be taken.
The statement read: “A thorough investigation has now been completed by detectives from the Counter Terrorism Command, which included interviewing an individual under caution and seeking early investigative advice from the Crown Prosecution Service.
“A range of offences were considered as part of the investigation. However, given the time elapsed between the events in the video and the video being brought to police attention, any potential summary only offences were beyond the statutory time limit for prosecution.
“Relevant indictable offences were considered by the investigation team and, based on all of the current evidence available, a decision has been made that no further action will be taken at this time.”
Tory MP David Amess was killed at a constituency surgery in 2021, and Labour MP Jo Cox was fatally shot and stabbed in June 2016.
Kneecap has since apologised for the comments as they said in a statement: “To the Amess and Cox families, we send our heartfelt apologies, we never intended to cause you hurt.”
Kneecap, made up of O hAnnaidh, Naoise O Caireallain, and JJ O Dochartaigh, have said they are facing a “co-ordinated smear campaign” after speaking out about "the ongoing genocide against the Palestinian people".
In a statement, Kneecap said: “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. 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.”
O hAnnaidh, 27, is facing a separate charge where he has been accused of allegedly displaying a flag in support of the proscribed terrorist organisation Hezbollah, while saying “up Hamas, up Hezbollah” at a gig in November last year.
Last week, the rapper, who performs under the stage name Mo Chara, was cheered by hundreds of supporters as he arrived with bandmates Naoise O Caireallain and JJ O Dochartaigh at Westminster Magistrates’ Court in Free Mo Chara T-shirts.
He was released on unconditional bail until his next hearing at the same court on August 20.
