Kneecap news: Irish hip-hop band to have videos assessed by UK anti-terror police

• A video of Irish group Kneecap is to be “assessed” by UK anti-terror police.
• Two videos from 2023 and 2024 are said to show the band telling fans to “kill” local MPs.
• The controversy comes as the band continue to weather the storm that was their Coachella 2025 performances.

Irish hip-hop group Kneecap are facing scrutiny, with videos circulating on social media being reviewed by the UK's Counter Terrorism police for potentially inciting violence.

The video under review reportedly features the band during a 2023 performance, where they are alleged to have called for violence against local members of parliament, with one quote stating, “the only good Tory is a dead Tory. Kill your local MP.”

A spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police confirmed they were made aware of the content of a video from a separate performance in 2024 and that it had been “referred to the Counter Terrorism Internal Referral Unit for assessment” to determine if further police investigation is warranted.

The Met also acknowledged awareness of another video, reportedly from a November 2023 event, though the band has not been charged with any offenses.

The UK Government has strongly condemned the threatening remarks, stating to the BBC that political intimidation and abuse “are unacceptable and have no place in society”.

They emphasised the damaging impact of harassment and threats on elected representatives and affirmed their commitment to working with the police and Parliament to vigorously combat such actions.

This latest controversy follows the band's set at Coachella 2025 earlier this month, where their display of pro-Palestinian images sparked debate and led to reports that the group had parted ways with their US booking agents, IAG. Sharon Osbourne also commented on the band's political stances, questioning the “appropriateness of their participation in such a festival.”

That however led to a response from Kneecap, urging Osbourne “listen to ‘War Pigs’ that was written by Black Sabbath (her husband),” during a recent interview with Rolling Stone Magazine.

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