EXCLUSIVE Now Kneecap threaten to sue industry critics who want them banned from Glastonbury
A controversial Irish republican rap trio have threatened to sue leading music industry figures after they allegedly called for them to be ditched from this year's Glastonbury Festival lineup.
Kneecap - named after the paramilitary punishment of maiming traitors by shooting them in the knee - are currently being investigated by police after footage emerged of them shouting 'up Hezbollah, up Hamas ' and 'kill your local MP' at music events in 2023 and 2024 was revealed by The Mail.
The Met Police confirmed that a man was interviewed under caution at a police station in Belfast on Sunday as part of a wider counter-terrorism investigation into the band.
Now music agents have allegedly written to Glastonbury founder Emily Eavis and two other festival organisers, urging them to ban the hip-hop group from the iconic music festival.
The email exchange - marked 'private and confidential' and circulated with over 30 individuals - was apparently leaked to Kneecap.
A legal letter, seen by the Mail and sent by Phoenix Law on behalf of Kneecap, accused those behind the complaint of making 'untrue and defamatory' claims.
It added: 'Your correspondence seeks to monopolise your status within the industry to impose direct and concerted pressure on Glastonbury, to restrict freedom of expression.
'Such a direct and coordinated approach seeks to create a chilling effect upon the wider music industry whereby those who hold opposing views, will seek to impose their own view on the wider industry.'
The Met Police confirmed today counter-terrorism officers had launched an investigation into videos of the Irish rap trio including one calling for the deaths of MPs
The rap group went on to demand the senior industry figures issue an 'unequivocal' and 'formal' apology approved by Kneecap's lawyers or face high court action.
The letter continued: 'Whilst our clients feel particularly strongly about the freedom of expression, we cannot allow false statements to be asserted dressed up as statements of fact (...)
'To that end, we write to put you on notice that we are now formally instructed to commence high court civil proceedings for damages for the damage you have inflicted on our client's reputation.
'However, before our clients formally seek to issue pre action correspondence, we write to offer you the opportunity to resolve these matters by way of an immediate and unequivocal apology.'
Last night a spokesperson for the Metropolitan police announced there were 'grounds for further investigation into potential offences' linked to two of Kneecap's performances.
They said: 'On 22 April, we were made aware of an online video believed to be from a music event in London in November 2024.
'Following this, we were made aware of a further video, believed to be from another music event in London in November 2023.
'Both videos were referred to the Counter Terrorism Internet Referral Unit for assessment by specialist officers, who have determined there are grounds for further investigation into potential offences linked to both videos.
'The investigation is now being carried out by officers from the Met's Counter Terrorism Command.
'Police interviewed a man who voluntarily attended an interview under caution at a police station in Belfast on Sunday, 18 May. Enquiries remain ongoing.'
Kneecap have been dropped from a handful of music festivals this summer, including the Eden Project concert series after their comments surfaced.
But other festivals like Wide Awake in Brockwell Park have stood by the band - refusing to cancel their performance despite calls to do so by politicians, campaigners and industry leaders.
Glastonbury have refused to comment either way.
The band, who have been accused of glorifying the IRA, Hamas and Hezbollah, used the cash to have a Land Rover painted in the livery of the Police Service of Northern Ireland for publicity pictures at the prestigious Sundance Film Festival in the US
Yesterday, speaking at the Conservative Friends of Israel luncheon, Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch said: 'Labour lacks moral courage.
'They crumble at the first sign of trouble.
'Just look at Kneecap.
'I refused to give them taxpayers money. Labour got in and handed it over.
'This is the reality of parliament for today.'
Former X-factor judge Sharon Osbourne, who has been publicly campaigning to have Kneecap banned from Glastonbury, told the Mail: 'This is a band with below average talent, using this [controversy] as a marketing campaign.'
In April Kneecap released an apology to the families of murdered MPs Joe Cox and David Amess, following their controversial comments about MPs.
In a post on social media, the group said: 'Establishment figures, desperate to silence us, have combed through hundreds of hours of footage and interviews, extracting a handful of words from months or years ago to manufacture moral hysteria.
'Let us be unequivocal: we do not, and have never, supported Hamas or Hezbollah. We condemn all attacks on civilians
'We also reject any suggestion that we would seek to incite violence against any MP or individual.
'An extract of footage, deliberately taken out of all context, is now being exploited and weaponised, as if it were a call to action.'
Kneecap has been contacted for comment.
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