UK counter-terror police investigating two Kneecap videos

Following their controversial Coachella performance, in which they received backlash over their support for Palestine, Northern Irish rap group Kneecap are finding themselves in hot water with the UK counter-terror police – this time for two videos.

The Metropolitan Police revealed its counter-terror unit was investigating a clip of a Kneecap performance from last November, over claims it showed one member shouting: "Up Hamas, up Hezbollah".

The second clip is believed to be dated from November 2023, a gig video which allegedly sees the trio calling for the death of Conservative MPs, with one member of the group alleged to have said: "The only good Tory is a dead Tory. Kill your local MP."

Commenting on the video, a spokesman for the Metropolitan Police said on Sunday (27 April): “We were made aware of a video on April 22, 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 assessment of both clips is intended to “determine whether further police investigation is required”.

In response to the news of the first clip being assessed, Kneecap shared a post on X of a graphic with read: “18 Months Of Genocide Footage Not Under Investigation By UK Counter-Terror Police”, with the caption “some facts.”

The band have described the investigation as a "coordinated smear campaign", adding that they "use their shows to call out the British and Irish governments' complicity in war crimes" and that their fans "see through the lies".

“The reason Kneecap is being targeted is simple — we are telling the truth, and our audience is growing,” their statement read. “Those attacking us want to silence criticism of a mass slaughter. They weaponize false accusations of antisemitism to distract, confuse, and provide cover for genocide.”

They mentioned “massive numbers of Jewish people” who are “outraged by this genocide just as we are”, and added: “What we care about is that governments of the countries we perform in are enabling some of the most horrific crimes of our lifetimes — and we will not stay silent. No media spin will change this.”

Hamas and Hezbollah are both proscribed as terrorist groups in the UK. Under Section 12 of the Terrorism Act 2000, it is an offence to express "an opinion or belief that is supportive of a proscribed organisation".

Two British MPs have been murdered in the past 10 years - Labour's Jo Cox in 2016 and Conservative Sir David Amess in 2021.

Regarding the November 2023 video, a UK government spokesman commented: "We unequivocally condemn threatening remarks made towards any individual. Political intimidation and abuse must have no place in our society. We recognise the chilling effect that harassment and intimidation of elected representatives can have on our democracy.”

"All reports of intimidation, harassment and threats are taken extremely seriously. We work with the police and Parliament to do everything in our power to crack down on threats to elected officials."