Tory leader Kemi Badenoch “demands prosecution” of Kneecap
Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch has claimed that footage surfacing of Kneecap performing in 2023, which is currently under investigation by the police, is deserving of prosecution.
The footage Badenoch referred to is a video clip from a gig in November 2023 in which they allegedly told the audience: “The only good Tory is a dead Tory. Kill your local MP.” Additionally, last week, an investigation began into Kneecap’s performance in November 2024 at the O2 Kentish Town in London. Footage emerged seemingly showing band member Mo Chara shouting, “Up Hamas, up Hezbollah”.
Regarding both events, a spokesperson for the Metropolitan police said: “We were made aware of a video on April 22nd, 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.”
The statement continued: “We have also been made aware of another video believed to be from an event in November 2023.”
Badenoch has now said it is “good” that an investigation has been launched, stating, “Kneecap’s glorification of terrorism and anti-British hatred has no place in our society.”
She also referenced the murder of Conservative MP David Amess, adding, “Now footage shows one of them saying: ‘The only good Tory is a dead Tory. Kill your local MP’. After the murder of Sir David Amess, this demands prosecution.”
Badenoch has a history with Kneecap. In December 2023, the Belfast natives were included in the Music Export Growth Scheme, which aims to promote British bands internationally and had previously been signed off by the BPI. However, an intervention from the Department for Business and Trade, headed up by Badenoch, stopped Kneecap from receiving funds.
Referencing this legal battle, which Kneecap won following an appeal, Badenoch said in a separate post last week following the band’s pro-Palestine messaging at Coachella: “In govt I blocked Kneecap getting taxpayer funding. Labour didn’t contest the legal case the band brought and they walked away with £14,250 of OUR money.”
On April 25th, Kneecap responded to the investigation in a lengthy statement, claiming they have “faced a coordinated smear campaign” following Coachella and confirmed they “are taking action against several of these malicious efforts”.
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