Kneecap only delivered “half an apology”, says husband of murdered Jo Cox MP
The family of former MP Jo Cox, who was murdered in 2016, have said Kneecap have only issued “half an apology” over their call to “kill your local MP.”
The Irish rap trio posted a statement on social media on April 28th apologising to the families of both Cox and David Amess MP, who was murdered in 2021, over the video that emerged from one of their gigs two years ago, noting: “We send our heartfelt apologies. We never intended to cause you hurt.”
However, the band still insisted that they had been victim of a “smear campaign” from the media in light of these comments and those that emerged previously, appearing to support Hezbollah and Hamas, which are currently being investigated by counter-terrorism police. Kneecap have also since stated they do not support Hezbollah and Hamas, which are both recognised as terror organisations in the UK.
Now, Cox’s husband, Brendan, has told BBC Radio Ulster’s Talkback programme that he only finds the group’s statement to be “half an apology.”
He said: “It’s fine to say that you’re sorry for it, but the way that they have actually spoken about it is to suggest that it’s a conspiracy, that they have been targeted unfairly, and for me, that then doesn’t come across as unfortunately particularly genuine.”
It comes after the Minister of State for Security, Dan Jarvis MP, refused to name Kneecap during parliamentary questions on April 29th, advising his colleagues “not to give them any further publicity by naming them.”
Given that Kneecap are still on the bill for a range of major UK festivals this summer, including a slot at Worthy Farm, the MP also said: “The Government would urge the organisers at the Glastonbury Festival to think very carefully about who is invited to perform there later this year.”
A spokesperson for Prime Minister Keir Starmer previously branded Kneecap’s comments as “completely unacceptable” and said that he “condemns them in the strongest possible terms.”
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