Kneecap will not face any charges relating to footage allegedly calling for the death of MPs during a London gig, the Metropolitan Police have confirmed.
The Irish hip-hop group were the subject of a terror probe by Scotland Yard following a performance at the Electric Ballroom in Camden in November 2023.
Bandmate Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, who performs under the name Mo Chara, could be heard in a video from the concert saying: “The only good Tory is a dead Tory. Kill your local MP.”
Kneecap were forced to apologise to the families of murdered MPs Sir David Amess and Jo Cox, claiming the comments were “deliberately taken out of all context”.
Now the Met has said it will not proceed with prosecutions against Kneecap for several reasons, including the fact that "time elapsed between the events in the video and the video being brought to police attention".
A statement from the force said: "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."
Ó hAnnaidh was charged last month under the Terrorism Act after allegedly displaying a flag in support of Hezbollah while saying "up Hamas, up Hezbollah" at the O2 Kentish Town Forum in November.
Meanwhile, Avon & Somerset Police is carrying out its own investigation into comments made by Kneecap, as well as punk group Bob Vylan, on Glastonbury's West Holts Stage on Saturday.
Kneecap’s Naoise Ó Cairealláin, who performs under the name Moglai Bap, suggested fans “start a riot” at Ó hAnnaidh’s forthcoming appearance at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on August 20.
They also spoke out in support of Palestine Action, which is set to be proscribed as a terrorist organisation.
Kneecap’s producer J. J. Ó Dochartaigh, who performs under the name DJ Próvaí, was spotted at Worthy Farm wearing a 'We Are All Palestine Action' t-shirt.
Before Kneecap’s show, which the BBC refused to livestream on iPlayer, Bobby Vylan, of Bob Vylan, led crowds in chants of “Death, death to the IDF”.
Avon and Somerset Police said: “We are aware of the comments made by acts on the West Holts Stage at Glastonbury Festival. Video evidence will be assessed by officers to determine whether any offences may have been committed that would require a criminal investigation.”
