Keir Starmer calls for Kneecap's Glastonbury set to be cancelled
Glastonbury 2025 will kick off for another year on June 25 where some of the world's biggest acts will got to the fields for the iconic festival
Prime Minister Keir Starmer has called for Kneecap to be pulled from the Glastonbury line-up. The band was due to perform in the 2025 festival, but the PM doesn't think it would be appropriate due to recent events.
He made the statement after Kneecap member Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh appeared in court as he was charged with a terror offence. This was relating to him allegedly displaying a flag and making remarks in support of the proscribed terrorist organisation Hezbollah at a concert in November last year.
Liam Ó hAnnaidh goes by the stage name Mo Chara and was bailed until later in the summer, which means he is able to play at Glastonbury. The festival will kick off on June 25 up until June 30.
Starmer was asked by The Sun if he thinks Kneecap should perform at the annual festival. He said: "No, I don't. I think we need to come down really clearly on this. I won't say too much, because there's a court case on, but I don't think that's appropriate." The band are scheduled to perform on the West Holts Stage on Saturday.
Naoise O Caireallain and JJ O Dochartaigh, who are the other members of the band, have supported O hAnnaidh since the incident. Speaking at court, they said: "For anybody going to Glastonbury, you can see us there at 4pm on Saturday.
"If you can't be there we'll be on the BBC. Most importantly: free, free Palestine." Liam Ó hAnnaidh has denied the allegations. Shortly after the charges, the band said in a statement: ""We deny this 'offence' and will vehemently defend ourselves. This is political policing. This is a carnival of distraction. We are not the story. Genocide is. As they profit from genocide, they use an 'anti-terror law' against us for displaying a flag thrown on stage."
Prosecutor Michael Bisgrove summarised the allegations, saying: "It's not about Mr Óg Ó hAnnaidh's support for the people of Palestine or his criticism of Israel.
"He's well within his rights to voice his opinions and solidarity, as is anybody else. The allegation in this case is a wholly different thing and deals with a video recording showing that, in November of last year, Mr O hAnnaidh wore and displayed the flag of Hezbollah, a proscribed terrorist organisation, while saying 'up Hamas, up Hezbollah'," he added.
Starmer's comments came as Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch said she thought the BBC "should not be showing" Kneecap's performance at the festival.
Badenoch said in an X post: "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."
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."
The Mirror have contacted Glastonbury for comment. Glastonbury is due to kick off this Wednesday where some of the world's biggest music artists will perform.
Fans of the event think they have worked out that a secret act could be taking to the stage. An American rock legend arrived in London just days ahead of things kicking off at Worthy Farm has people convinced the singer's band is set to play the secret set.
The iconic music festival is returning on Wednesday, with British pop band The 1975, folk star Neil Young and his band the Chrome Hearts, and US pop singer Olivia Rodrigo headlining. Fans are convinced Patchwork are in fact The Foo Fighters, thanks to Dave Grohl being spotted in London recently.
He was seen backstage at the Yeah Yeah Yeahs gig at the Royal Albert Hall. He is no stranger to surprise Glastonbury sets.
In 2023 his band performed at the Somerset festival under the alias The Churn Ups which was their first major UK gig since the death of the band's drummer Taylor Hawkins in 2022.
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