British Conservative Party leader says BBC 'should not show' Kneecap at Glastonbury
British Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch has said she thinks the BBC "should not be showing" Kneecap's performance at Glastonbury Festival next week.
In a social media post on X, which was accompanied by an article from The Times that claimed the BBC had not banned the group, Ms Badenoch wrote: "The BBC should not be showing Kneecap propaganda.
"One Kneecap band member is currently on bail, charged under the Terrorism Act.
"As a publicly funded platform, the BBC should not be rewarding extremism."
On Wednesday, Mr Ó hAnnaidh was accompanied to Westminster Magistrates' Court by his two other band members, JJ Ó Dochartaigh, whose stage name is DJ Próvaí, and Naoise Ó Cairealláin, whose stage name is Móglaí Bap.
Mr Ó hAnnaidh is alleged to have displayed a flag in support of Hezbollah at a gig at the O2 Forum in Kentish Town in north London on 21 November last year. He was released on unconditional bail until his next hearing at the same court on 20 August.
Following the hearing, the rapper said: "For anybody going to Glastonbury, you can see us there at 4pm on the Saturday.
"If you can't be there we'll be on the BBC, if anybody watches the BBC. We'll be at Wembley in September."
In November, Kneecap won its discrimination case over a decision made by Ms Badenoch to refuse them funding.
A BBC spokesperson said: "As the broadcast partner, the BBC will be bringing audiences extensive music coverage from Glastonbury, with artists booked by the festival organisers.
"Whilst the BBC doesn't ban artists, our plans will ensure that our programming will meet our editorial guidelines. Decisions about our output will be made in the lead up to the festival."
During their sold-out gig at Fairview Park in Dublin on Thursday, DJ Próvaí thanked fans who turned out to support them during their bandmate's court case.
Formed in 2017, the Belfast trio are known for their provocative lyrics in both Irish and English.
Their best-known tracks include Get Your Brits Out, Better Way To Live, featuring Grian Chatten from Fontaines DC, and 3Cag.
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