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Tory politician wants Kneecap axed from festival

Rowenna Hoskin
BBC News
Getty Images DJ Próvaí of Kneecap performs at Vicar Street on October 28, 2024 in Dublin, Ireland. He is wearing a balaclava which is green, white and orange. He is holding a mic and pointing with his index finger out to the crowd.Getty Images
A politician has said allowing Kneecap to perform at Green Man Festival risked "sending a dangerous message that advocacy for violence is tolerated in Wales"

Green Man Festival has been urged to axe Kneecap from its line-up by a Conservative politician after footage emerged of the band allegedly calling for MPs to be killed.

Counter-terrorism police are assessing a video of the west Belfast trio from a November 2023 gig appearing to show one person from the band saying: "The only good Tory is a dead Tory. Kill your local MP."

Gareth Davies, Welsh Conservative culture, tourism and sport spokesman, said the festival, held near Crickhowell, Powys, from 14-17 August, "risks further inciteful comments".

Kneecap said they have "faced a co-ordinated smear campaign" while Green Man Festival has been asked to comment.

The Metropolitan Police also said another video, which appeared to show a band member shouting "up Hamas, up Hezbollah" at a performance in London in November, was being assessed.

Both Hamas and Hezbollah are banned in the UK and it is a crime to express support for them.

No members of the group have been charged with any offences.

Mr Davies said he had written to the festival and First Minister Eluned Morgan saying he was worried that letting the rappers perform risked "undermining" Green Man's reputation.

He added: "It is critical that public events avoid providing a platform to individuals who incite hatred, the organisers must consider the consequences of allowing their presence at the festival."

Getty Images Móglaí Bap and Mo Chara of Kneecap performs at Tramshed on October 01, 2024 in Cardiff, Wales. Getty Images
Kneecap was formed in 2017 by three friends who go by the stage names of Mo Chara, Móglaí Bap and DJ Próvaí

In a statement posted on X, Kneecap said they rejected "any suggestion that we would seek to incite violence against any MP or individual. Ever".

They added that "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 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 OK. We know this more than anyone, given our nation's history.

"To the Amess and Cox families, we send our heartfelt apologies, we never intended to cause you hurt."

Labour MP Jo Cox was fatally shot and stabbed in June 2016 while Conservative MP Sir David Amess was murdered in 2021.

On Monday, the daughter of Sir David said the rap group should apologise.