Stop running Robert, you'll kill the Tories
I've always wanted to be part of a high-level conspiracy and for about an hour last week I thought it had finally happened. A message popped up on my phone to say that Robert Jenrick, the shadow justice secretary, had included me in a group chat with David Cameron, George Osborne and others. 'RJ for PM!' declared one of the members. Ah, I thought, it's a coup! They're at it again!
But what did it have to do with me? Was I going to be the journalist added accidentally to the Tory equivalent of the Yemen-bombing Signal chat? I stayed quiet and waited. But Jenrick soon realised his mistake and started removing people from the chat: in alphabetical order. He'd included so many it took
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Irish Daily Star
29-04-2025
- Irish Daily Star
Kneecap breaks silence on counter terrorism investigation as they blast 'smear campaign'
Members of Kneecap have broken their silence after a clip from a concert was referred to counter-terrorism police in the U.K. The Northern Irish rap group have been in the headlines in recent weeks following their performance at Coachella during which they expressed their support for Palestine and called out Israel. The band displayed messages which read, "Israel is committing genocide against the Palestinian people. It is being enabled by the US government who arm and fund Israel despite their war crimes. F--- Israel. Free Palestine." After their gig, Kneecap received the support of fans but they were also criticized by figures including Sharon Osbourne, who called for their U.S. work visas to be revoked. The group also faced condemnation by the British government and Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch when footage emerged from a gig appearing to show one member of Kneecap urging support for the killing of Members of Parliament. Read More Related Articles Scott Pelley speaks out on 60 Minutes turmoil as producer resigns amid Trump lawsuit Read More Related Articles Bono reveals his favorite song of all time - and it's a Bob Dylan deep cut In the video from the November 2023 concert, the band member appeared to say, "The only good Tory is a dead Tory. Kill your local MP." Counter-terrorism police in London are examining the footage, along with a video clip from another concert in November 2024 in which a member of the band appeared to shout "up Hamas, up Hezbollah" - groups which are banned as terrorist organisations in the U.K. The band performing at Coachella (Image: Getty Images for Coachella) Late last night, Kneecap issued a statement on social media in which they rejected "any suggestion that we would seek to incite violence against any MP or individual." They said the footage was "deliberately taken out of context" and said it is now being weaponized as "a transparent effort to derail the real conversation" - the fact that two million Palestinians are enduring tremendous suffering at the hands of Israel. The group said the British government is continuing to supply arms to Israel despite the deaths of at least 20,000 children in Gaza. Kneecap said "real anger and outrage" should be directed towards those who "have abetted slaughter and famine." For all the latest news straight to your inbox, sign up for our FREE newsletters here . Kneecap apologized to the families of Sir David Amess and Jo Cox, two British MPs who were killed, saying they didn't intend to cause any harm. Labour MP Ms Cox was stabbed and shot in 2016, while Conservative Sir David was stabbed to death in 2021. Sir David's daughter Katie criticized the band after the footage from the concert emerged. On Monday, Sir Keir Starmer's official spokesman said the Prime Minister believed the recent comments attributed to the band in the footage were "completely unacceptable" and "condemns them in the strongest possible terms." Mrs Badenoch said Kneecap's "anti-British hatred has no place in our society" and that it is "good" the police are looking into the allegations, adding, "Kneecap's glorification of terrorism and anti-British hatred has no place in our society. After the murder of Sir David Amess, this demands prosecution." The group faced criticism after expressing support for Palestine (Image: Getty Images for Coachella) Kneecap insisted it has never supported Hamas or Hezbollah and it condemned all attacks on civilians. In their statement, the band - which is composed of Mo Chara (Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh), Móglaí Bap (Naoise Ó Cairealláin), and DJ Próvaí (J.J. Ó Dochartaigh) - said they promote a message "of love, inclusion, and hope" and vowed that "no smear campaign will change that." Kneecap wrote, "They want you to believe words are more harmful than genocide. 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, always. It is never okay. We know this more than anyone, given our nation's history. We also reject any suggestion that we would seek to incite violence against any MP or individual. Ever." The band apologized to the Cox and Amess families (Image: Getty Images for BFI) They added, "An extract of footage, deliberately taken out of all context, is now being exploited and weaponised, as if it were a call to action. This distortion is not only absurd - it is a transparent effort to derail the real conversation. All two million Palestinian people in Gaza are currently being starved to death by Israel. At least 20,000 children in Gaza have been killed. "The British government continues to supply arms to Israel, even after scores of NHS doctors warned Keir Starmer in August that children were being systematically executed with sniper shots to the head. Instead of defending innocent people or the principles of international law, the powerful in Britain have abetted slaughter and famine. This is where real anger and outrage should be directed towards." The group continued, "To the Amess and Cox families, we send our heartfelt apologies, we never intended to cause you hurt. Kneecap's message has always been - and remains - one of love, inclusion, and hope. This is why our music resonates across generations, countries, classes and cultures and has brought hundreds of thousands of people to our gigs. No smear campaign will change that. The group said they have never supported Hamas or Hezbollah (Image: PA) "Suddenly, days after calling out the US administration at Coachella to applause and solidarity, there is an avalanche of outrage and condemnation by the political classes of Britain. The real crimes are not in our performances; the real crimes are the silence and complicity of those in power. Shame on them." Counter-terrorism police are assessing footage reportedly from the November 2024 gig in London's Kentish Town Forum and the November 2023 concert. On Sunday, a Metropolitan Police spokesman said, "We were made aware of a video on April 22, 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. We have also been made aware of another video believed to be from an event in November 2023." He also said the force "are assessing both to determine whether further police investigation is required." The counter-terrorism internet referral unit (CTIRU) is based within the Met's Counter Terrorism Command which is dedicated to identifying terrorist and extremist material online. Police will carry out an investigation if the material breaches the law. For the latest local news and features on Irish America, visit our homepage here .
Irish Daily Star
28-04-2025
- Irish Daily Star
Kneecap face investigation by counter terrorism unit after controversial statements
The Northern Irish rap group Kneecap have found themselves in hot water with the police after one of the band members made a contentious remark at a concert back in 2023. Footage has resurfaced from a London show which shows one of the members declaring to their fans , "only a good Tory is a dead Tory." The individual supposedly continued with the incendiary comment: "Kill your local MP." Scotland Yard has verified that they are examining the clip, as well as an additional video from last year where one band member seems to rally the crowd with "up Hamas, up Hezbollah." According to The Telegraph, the police are scrutinizing the videos , aiming to ascertain if any terror-related laws have been broken. Read More Related Articles Jenna Bush Hager left in tears over emotional dedication involving career move Read More Related Articles Donald Trump and Melania slammed as they're caught chatting and smiling at Pope Francis' funeral In the contentious video, one of the trio appeared to proclaim: "We're still under British occupation in Ireland. We still have old men in London making decisions that affect my life in Ireland." The rappers are facing scrutiny over recent comments at Coachella (Image: AFP via Getty Images) The rapper then elaborated: "And even worse, they're f*****g Tories. The only good Tory is a dead Tory. Kill your local MP." A Metropolitan Police rep told the Mirror: "We were made aware of a video on 22 April, 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. We have also been made aware of another video believed to be from an event in November 2023." A representative from No. 10 spoke to the Mirror, stating: "We unequivocally condemn threatening remarks made towards any individual. Political intimidation and abuse must have no place in our society. We recognise the chilling effect that harassment and intimidation of elected representatives can have on our democracy." They continued: "All reports of intimidation, harassment, and threats are taken extremely seriously. We work with the police and Parliament to do everything in our power to crack down on threats to elected officials." This reaction comes as the group, comprising Móglaí Bap, Mo Chara and DJ Próvaí, announced plans for legal measures against "false accusations of antisemitism" following their controversial Coachella performance, reports the Mirror . Members of KneeCap include Moglai Bap, Mo Chara and DJ Provai (Image: Samir Hussein/WireImage) The rap trio, who are known for political commentary, faced criticism after concluding their performance with messages on-screen which were interpreted as accusing Israel of committing genocide and war crimes in Gaza. One such message purportedly read: "Israel is committing genocide against the Palestinian people." Another reportedly followed, saying: "It is being enabled by the US government, who arm and fund Israel despite their war crimes." The final inflammatory assertion was said to be: "F*** Israel. Free Palestine." TV personality Sharon Osbourne was among the forefront figures who accused the ensemble of "openly supporting terrorist organizations." She later allegedly suggested that their US visas should be cancelled. In response to the allegations, they defended themselves on social media, stating: "The recent attacks against us, largely emanating from the US, are based on deliberate distortions and falsehoods." They continued: "For over a year, we have used our shows to call out the British and Irish governments' complicity in war crimes. We are taking action against several of these malicious efforts." For the latest local news and features on Irish America, visit our homepage here .
Irish Daily Star
27-04-2025
- Irish Daily Star
Donald Trump and Melania caught with smiles while chatting during Pope Francis' funeral
President Donald Trump's appearance at Pope Francis' funeral , alongside many other world leaders, didn't quite live up to the public's standards on decorum. Joining him in Italy is his wife, Melania, who is also receiving backlash for her own behavior. The pair seemed to draw attention to themselves when they were caught in conversation during the service. In fact, they were even seen with smiles across their faces at the somber event. Trump's spotlight was only emphasized by his outfit choice, which saw him stand out with a blue suit in a sea of more traditional black . Plus, the politician was spotted texting away while sitting among the prestigious guests. "Could they be any more disrespectful and disgraceful?" one person on X, formerly known as Twitter, asked. Read More Related Articles Fox News' Greg Gutfeld branded 'idiot' for wild conspiracy that his own network is biased Read More Related Articles Rory McIlroy's stunning mansion with Erica Stoll pictured, golf course next door They added, "Oh. Donald Trump was texting during the funeral for Pope Francis too? But do go on about Biden looking at his watch at a dignified transfer ceremony, MAGA. It's not like Donald even went to the one for the troops who died in Lithuania." "Yeah, he can always go that extra mile and be a little more disrespectful. At least he wasn't hawking any bibles or pictures of him dressed up like Superman," another added. Some people weighed the merit of the president checking his messages at such a high-profile event, arguing that, in his position, he likely receives critical, timely notes. However, others mocked the current state of political communications with a reference to the recent leak of a high-security level conversation. "I've gotta assume he was talking about Ukraine invasion plans on Signal with Putin and Hegseth," they wrote. Recently, a group of United States political leaders, including Vice President JD Vance, were caught using Signal, an encrypted messaging act, to dicuss plans of military interaction. In addition to using a platform that is not the preferred method for communicating matters of national security, they further breached protocol and confidentiality by adding the editor in chief of The Atlantic, an established, well-known political publication, to the messaging chain. He often disagreed with Pope Francis (Image: AFP via Getty Images) Another person weighed in with their predictions on Trump's screen time. "He was busy praising himself and attacking Obama over on Trash Social," they noted, referencing an app called Truth Social which is a social media app with a far-right skew created in defiance of Twitter, especially their moves to ban accounts like Trump's following the spread of misinformation and harassment. Trump and Pope Francis disagreed on a number of issues, often publicly clashing as the leader of the Catholic Church took a more liberal approach to social issues than previously seen by the religious organization. Nonetheless, Trump agreed to attend the funeral 'out of respect," which is something the public didn't think he quite lived up to doing through his actions. Some people mocked his outfit. "Just watching the Pope's funeral. Trump is the only one not wearing a dark suit. No respect," one person shared on social media. Another added: "President Trump at Pope Francis' only one in a blue suit!!" For the latest local news and features on Irish America, visit our homepage here .
