Kneecap threaten to sue critics as bid to ban TRNSMT act from performing Glasgow fails
Counter terrorism cops are also continuing to probe the band
'APOLOGISE NOW' Kneecap threaten to sue critics as bid to ban TRNSMT act from performing Glasgow fails
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window)
Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
KNEECAP has threatened to sue critics after a bid to ban the Irish rappers from the TRNSMT lineup failed.
It comes after the Belfast-based band faced backlash after videos emerged of the self-proclaimed "Fenians" urging fans to "kill your local MP" and chanting "The only good Tory is a dead Tory".
Sign up for the Entertainment newsletter
Sign up
2
Counter terrorism cops are continuing to probe the band
Credit: AFP
2
The band are set to perform at TRNSMT in Glasgow this summer
Credit: Roddy Scott
The videos sparked outrage, with many calling for them to be axed from playing Glasgow's TRNSMT festival on July 11 and Glastonbury on June 27.
First Minister John Swinney was among those who backed these claims, saying it would be "unacceptable" for them to "perform on such a stage".
Counter terrorism cops are also continuing to probe Kneecap's Mo Chara, Móglaí Bap and DJ Próvaí after another video of a member appearing to chant 'Up Hamas, up Hezbollah' surfaced at concerts in 2023 and 2024.
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.
Phoenix Law on behalf of Kneecap
The Metropolitan Police has since confirmed a man was interviewed under caution at a station in Belfast on Sunday as part of the broader investigation into the band.
A spokesperson for the Met said: "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."
A "private and confidential" email between music agents and Glastonbury bosses, pushing for Kneecap to be banned from the legendary festival, was allegedly leaked to the band.
According to the Daily Mail, Kneecap hit back at critics with a legal letter from Phoenix Law, slamming them for making "untrue and defamatory" claims.
It reads: "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."
Kneecap movie sets sights for Hollywood
The letter threatens to "commence high court civil proceedings for damages for the damage you have inflicted".
It adds: "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."
SNP councillors in Glasgow last week went against the First Minister's calls to pull Kneecap from TRNSMT.
At a debate on the war in Gaza, Glasgow City Council leader Susan Aitken said: "The UK is a state where MPs have been murdered in recent years. Words can and do matter.
"That, certainly not on the part of the SNP group, doesn't translate into support for a ban on them playing in Glasgow or indeed anywhere else.
"Or indeed does it take away from the point that the condemnation of Kneecap, particularly in the United States, much of it does appear to be driven by a wider dislike of their stances, not only their position in support of the Palestinian people but also their general stance of satirical provocation."
Kneecap has since issued an apology to the families of murdered MPs Sir David Amess, who was killed by an Islamic State fanatic in 2021, and Jo Cox, who was killed by far-right extremist Thomas Mair in 2016.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Glasgow Times
25 minutes ago
- Glasgow Times
Controversial Loch Lomond Flamingo Land plans recalled
In September 2024, the Yorkshire-based theme park operator, Flamingo Land Ltd, had their planning permission in principle rejected by all 14 board members of the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs Planning Authority. Now, plans for the development at Lomond Banks have been recalled by Scottish Ministers reports our sister title The National. Minister for Public Finance, Ivan McKee (below), said he has recalled the plans as the proposed development raises issues of 'national significance'. He said: 'I have decided to recall the Lomond Banks appeal as the proposed development raises issues of national significance in view of its potential impact on Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park. 'This means that the appeal should be determined at a national level.' The news comes after more than 50,000 people wrote to McKee in just two weeks, demanding that the Scottish Government withdraw its approval of the mega-resort planning application. Scottish Greens MSP Ross Greer said the public's opinion on the proposal, which is the most opposed in Scottish planning history with more than 155,000 individuals lodging objections, 'couldn't be clearer'. He said: 'In just two weeks the Planning Minister has heard directly from over 50,000 people calling on him to block these proposals. Public opinion couldn't be clearer and it is backed up by experts including the Government's own environment watchdog.' Organisations such as the National Trust for Scotland, the Woodland Trust, the Ramblers, and the Scottish Government environment watchdog, SEPA, also raised objections against the plans.
STV News
an hour ago
- STV News
Plans for Flamingo Land resort on Loch Lomond recalled by Scottish Government
The future of a major tourist attraction on the banks of Loch Lomond is in doubt after the Scottish Government decided to re-examine the proposals. Public finance minister Ivan McKee has said the government will recall the plans for the Flamingo Land resort, saying it raises issues of national significance due to its impact on the national park area. It comes weeks after the Scottish Government planning reporter upheld an appeal from the Yorkshire-based theme park operator but added 49 conditions to the application. McKee previously said that the government backed the 'impartial, expert opinion that was based on evidence'. Under the £43.5 million proposals, Lomond Banks would see two hotels, more than 100 lodges, a waterpark and monorail built on the site at Balloch, West Dunbartonshire. However, the decision has incensed environmental and conservation campaigners, who have long opposed the development and say it will lead to the 'irreversible' loss of woodland. The Scottish Greens say more than 50,000 people have used a portal on their website to write to McKee. Planning permission in principle was granted by the government, overturning the Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park's decision to reject the proposals. Over 150,000 people objected to the development through a petition launched by the Scottish Greens. The final outcome will be now be decided by Scottish ministers. Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
The Independent
an hour ago
- The Independent
Scottish Government refuses to rule out changes to pensioners' winter payment
The Scottish Government has not ruled out making changes to its equivalent on the winter fuel payment scheme, amid concerns some pensioners could be left worse off than their counterparts south of the border. A spokesperson for First Minister John Swinney said ministers at Holyrood were 'trying to understand the fiscal implications' of Monday's policy change by the UK Government. After cutting the winter fuel payment for all but the poorest pensioners last year, Chancellor Rachel Reeves has now confirmed some nine million pensioners in England and Wales will receive the benefit this winter. The payment, worth up to £300, will be restored to the vast majority of pensioners who previously received it, with those with an income of under £35,000 a year qualifying for the UK Government's payment. In Scotland, ministers had already announced plans to ensure all pensioner households receive a payment. The Pension Age Winter Heating Payment will see all pensioner households get at least £100, with poorer pensioners getting either £200 or £300 depending on their age. Labour, however, challenged SNP ministers to ensure that 'no struggling Scottish pensioners will be left out of pocket under their plans'. Mr Swinney's spokesperson confirmed that, as it stands, the policy in Scotland has not been changed. But adding that ministers are 'trying to understand the fiscal implications' of what has been announced', the spokesperson refused to rule out future changes to the payments. 'We will always seek to support pensioners in Scotland the best we can, we are absolutely committed to that,' the spokesperson said. The change in policy from the UK Government will bring additional money for the Scottish Government – with the spokesperson stressing SNP ministers are 'still trying to understand' how much extra cash could be due. Here, the spokesperson stressed the Scottish Government's budget is 'set largely by Westminster', adding: 'We have to, frankly, read the tea leaves sometimes about what is going to happen to our block grant throughout the year.' The comments from the First Minister's spokesperson came as Scottish Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville described the UK Government's handling of of the benefit as 'shambolic'. Ms Somerville welcomed Labour's U-turn on the benefit cut, but said the decision should never have happened in the first place. She told BBC Radio Scotland it was 'very difficult to try and run a devolved social security system when you're actually finding out some of the details on social media before you can actually find out the details from the Government'. The Social Justice Secretary insisted that was 'no way for the Governments to work together,', adding she was 'deeply disappointed in the way that the UK Government have handled this once again with the Scottish Government'. Scottish Secretary Ian Murray stressed the benefit was devolved to Scotland, saying: 'This is a devolved payment. There's lots of social security that is devolved in Scotland. It is up to the Scottish Government to develop that and come up with their own policy.' The Labour MP also told BBC Radio Scotland the Scottish Government's winter fuel payments system meant that 'limited public money' will go towards helping millionaire pensioners with their heating bills. He insisted the initial decision by the UK Government to scrap the universal payments had been the 'right thing to do at the time', but added that changes could be made to this now the economy has been 'stabilised'.
