‘We will beat Government for second time in court' – Kneecap at largest ever gig
They were supporting Irish band Fontaines DC, whose front man Grian Chatten joined to perform their collaboration Better Way To Live.
People echoed the Belfast group's chants when they repeated the 'f*** Keir Starmer' and 'you're just a s*** Jeremy Corbyn' comments made at Glastonbury the previous weekend.
Liam Og O hAnnaidh, who performs as Mo Chara, appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court earlier this month charged with a terror offence and will return next month.
Fellow member Naoise O Caireallain, who uses the stage name Moglai Bap, said 'if anyone's free on the 20th of August, you wanna go to the court and support Mo Chara' before shouting 'free Mo Chara, free, free Mo Chara'.
Wearing a keffiyeh, O hAnnaidh responded: 'I appreciate it, the 20th of August is going to be the second time Kneecap have beat the British Government in court – in their own court, on their own terms, and we're going to beat them for the second time.
'I tell you what, there is nothing like embarrassing the British Government.'
Last year Kneecap won a discrimination challenge over a decision by former business secretary Kemi Badenoch to refuse them a £14,250 funding award.
The UK Government conceded it was 'unlawful' after the band launched legal action claiming the decision to refuse the grant discriminated against them on grounds of nationality and political opinion.
It was agreed that the £14,250 sum would be paid by the Government to the group.
During the performance the group intermittently broke off the mosh pits and raucous crowd by addressing the war in Gaza, which is a recurring theme of their shows.
O hAnnaidh said: 'It's usually around this point of the gig that we decide to talk about what's happening in Palestine.
'I understand that it's almost inhumane that I'm thinking of new things to say on stage during a genocide, for sound bites.
'It's beyond words now, like, we always used to say obviously they're being bombed from the skies with nowhere to go, but it's beyond that now.
'They've been being starved for a few months on end, and not only that, the areas that they have set up, to collect aid and food, have turned into killing fields and they're killing hundreds a day trying to collect food.'
He continued: 'It's beyond words, but again, we played in Plymouth last night to 750 people and we did the same thing, so it doesn't matter how big or small our audience is, Kneecap will always use the platform for talking about this.'
O Caireallain had said earlier in the show: 'They can try and silence us, they can try and stop us, but we're not going to stop talking about Palestine – as long as there's a genocide happening in Palestine we're going to keep talking about it and yous are going to keep talking about it, and they can't stop us.'
The UN human rights office has recorded 613 killings near humanitarian convoys and at aid distribution points in Gaza run by an Israeli-backed American organisation since it began operations in late May.
On Friday its spokeswoman Ravina Shamdasani said the rights office was not able to attribute responsibility for the killings, but 'it is clear that the Israeli military has shelled and shot at Palestinians trying to reach the distribution points' operated by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF).
The GHF has denied any serious injuries or deaths on its sites and says shootings outside their immediate vicinity are under the purview of Israel's military.
The Israeli military has said previously it fires warning shots to control crowds or at Palestinians who approach its troops.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The National
an hour ago
- The National
Glastonbury row: Feeble BBC bow to Starmer's new authoritarianism
Two points: various people were delighted at the chance to take a pop at the Beeb (hello, Kemi Badenoch and co) while the chief rabbi must be aware that the IDF are not about to attract a good conduct medal from the public at large any time soon. You might think that the most senior Jewish cleric in the land could distinguish between hostility to the current Israeli administration and antisemitism towards Jewry generally. Though he believes that one might well lead to the other. Most of the public don't share that view, but they do think it's long past time the UK Government took a stronger line with the Israeli premier and those of his Cabinet who are long-standing critics of Palestinian rights. And vocally encourage attacks by illegal settlers on the indigenous population. Of course, calling for any death from a public stage is a lot less than clever, as Kneecap found out. As it happened, it was another act which occasioned much frothing at the mouth and led to calls for senior BBC executives to fall on their swords. READ MORE: Reform UK MP suspends himself from party over '£70k Covid loans' A sense of proportion might be in order though, and anyone who caught the Channel Four broadcast of a documentary, originally commissioned but not screened by the BBC, must have been appalled at the treatment of health teams – including senior medics – by the Israeli Defence Force. As for pausing anything anybody might find offensive, how does that impact on live-streaming of events on TV? Do you follow up by confiscating T-shirts bearing messaging of which you don't approve? We're not yet in the business of aping Trumpland, inasmuch as we don't allow brown skinned Brits to be hauled off the streets by masked Home Office operatives. But that department has taken to boasting about deportation numbers, which is a strange way to treat folks who risked life and limb to reach our shores. On Friday morning, the Home Secretary told a radio audience that if there were to be a death on board an overcrowded craft, all the travellers would be deemed guilty. Including, it seems, the relations of the deceased. But few things mark a change in the UK Government's culture like the attitude to protest, which once had a long and noble history allowing dissent from policy without being hounded and/or chucked in the pokey. Doubtless the protesters who broke into the Brize Norton airbase and threw red paint at planes and their engines might be thought guilty of criminal damage. As might the chap with wire cutters at a similar base once defended by one Keir Starmer KC over 20 years ago, though no doubt he would argue that the cab rank principle of selecting briefs gave him little choice. Then there were the draconian sentences handed out to the Stop Oil protesters, mitigated only slightly by the judge who deemed the originals handed down were over the top. If you think climate change is the greatest danger facing our planet and its inhabitants (and I do), then I suspect those jailed for that particular protest will ultimately gain martyr status. Similarly, the couple who threw oil at the Van Gogh painting – protected like most iconic images by glass – seem to me to be primarily guilty of selecting a target they knew would attract maximum opprobrium and, not at all incidentally, major headlines in every publication. That, after all, is the hallmark of successful protest – not much publicity in throwing paint at high-profile paintings after hours. Some of you will recall the massive protests over the poll tax – never called the community charge except by the Lady Thatcher – which charged the rich man in his castle precisely the same as the poor man at his gate. John Major binned it when he took office, though I remain unpersuaded that the successor Council Tax is a fair substitute. The public outrage at the manifestly unfair poll tax did effect policy change, but also led to the controversial police tactic of 'kettling' protesters. The appalling Donald Trump has set his face against anything smacking of greenery, of course, and persists in believing that climate change and those who are scared of it are merely bowing down before mythology rather than hard, scientifically proven fact. You will recall that one of his favourite rally mantras is 'drill baby drill', while he attributed Californian wildfires to the failure to sweep up forest debris. READ MORE: Youth Demand activists stage Gaza protest at London Pride Just wait till the flames are lapping around Mar-a-Lago, the tacky leisure club run by El Presidente, and we'll be treated to the thought that the fires were all started by the Commies and the 'radical left' as he hilariously terms his predecessor. He has just overseen the construction of a hostile prison facility located in Florida – cheerily named Alligator Alcatraz – since anyone trying to escape will meet up with some of the more hostile residents of the area. Local law enforcement officers stuck ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) hats on some of the 'gators and crocodiles presumably to underscore the risks. How we didn't laugh. Apparently, these facilities (another is being built) cost around half a million dollars a year to run – or peanuts to a man who has just orchestrated a bill which will add trillions to the annual US budget. If even Elon Musk thinks this foolhardy, it might give a more sentient being pause for thought. Some of that money will go to building more prisons and blocking off the border – some will go to tax cuts for the wealthy, paid for by slashing medical and food aid for the poor. Just think of the president as a sort of reverse Robin Hood – robbing the poor to give to the rich. BUT you do wonder what exactly is happening round the UK Cabinet table. Have all those ministers and secretaries of state elected on a Labour ticket suddenly become right-wing zealots? It was instructive to see that the normally super loyal chairs of selected committees were prominent in drawing up the wrecking amendment which holed Starmer's welfare 'reform' below the water line. No way can you describe that size of protest and outright rebellion as down to the usual suspects. We are not yet at the point where we jail people for allegedly disrespecting the Islamic prophet Muhammad as they have just done in Turkey. And it's a fair wee while since the law of blasphemy was turfed out in the UK (though alarmingly later in Scotland as a by-product of the hate speech law). It was way back in 1988 that a fatwa was decreed against Salman Rushdie and a call went out for his death when some Muslims took issue with his book on the Satanic Verses. However, some people have very long memories and Rushdie's fatwa was still in place when he was brutally stabbed just three years ago. More than 60,000 Christians were offended at Jerry Springer: The Opera, when the BBC screened it in 2005. (They were braver then!) Christian Voice tried to sue the corporation for blasphemy, alleging that the portrayal of Jesus as 'a bit gay' was highly offensive. The courts disagreed and suggested that stage productions were immune from a law which, in any event, the Lord Denning had previously decreed was a dead letter. Quite right too.
The National
an hour ago
- The National
Anas Sarwar urged to 'come clean' on tax changes in Scotland
The SNP have written to the Scottish Labour leader over comments he made last week signalling his party would seek to bring Scotland's income tax system closer in line with the rest of the UK. In an interview with the Scottish Sun, Sarwar accused SNP ministers of "government by performance" as he suggested he would move to end the tax divergence with the rest of the UK if he becomes first minister. READ MORE: Kate Forbes: Bigger-picture switch is proving key in tackling tourism issues Currently, a majority of Scottish taxpayers pay less income tax than they would elsewhere in the UK. In Scotland, the top rate of tax (45%) comes in at earnings of £75,001, while those reaching £125,140 face a 48% levy. In the rest of the UK, the top rate of tax is 45% and only comes in when earnings reach £125,140. Figures from the Scottish Fiscal Commission suggest that Scotland's tax system generates up to an additional £1.7 billion each year compared to if it had matched the UK Government's policy. The SNP said Labour's plan would risk reversing this additional income and would mean that lower-income Scots would pay more while the wealthiest pay less, resulting in "billions of pounds worth of cuts" from public services to plug the gap. Kevin Stewart MSP (Image: PA) Kevin Stewart, an SNP MSP who sits on Holyrood's Economy Committee, has written to Sarwar to urge him to outline what services he would cut in order to "balance the books". In his letter, he asked Sarwar to clarify his position that those on "very large salaries" should pay less tax, "while also supporting disability benefits cuts". Stewart wrote: 'As you know, a majority of Scots currently pay less income tax than they would if they lived elsewhere in the UK, and Scottish income tax generates well over a billion pounds additional funding to be spent here in Scotland. 'Any changes to the Scottish income tax system puts this at risk – meaning Labour's plans could see the poorest being taxed more, or cutting up to well over a billion pounds from Scottish public services in order to fund these tax cuts. 'Is it really your position that people on very large salaries should pay less income tax in Scotland, while also supporting cuts to disability benefits? 'I am therefore writing to you to ask what spending cuts Labour plan to implement in Scotland in order to bring Scotland's income tax system more in line with the rest of the UK.' Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar (right) pictured with Prime Minister Keir Starmer (Image: Jane Barlow/PA) Sarwar previously backed the UK Government's decision to cut disability benefits, before Labour conceded to rebels and watered down such plans in a last-minute climbdown. Commenting, Stewart told The National that since Labour took office last year, "they have made it their business to balance the books on the backs of the poor, disabled and older people". 'For a Labour politician to claim there is no money to pay for disability benefits while also arguing that very rich people are being taxed too much frankly beggars belief – and shows how out of touch Mr Sarwar is with traditional Labour voters," he said. READ MORE: Protesters stage demonstration inside Reform UK's headquarters 'Mr Sarwar needs to come clean with people in Scotland – if Labour are in power in Scotland, what services would he cut to fund tax cuts for the rich? Will it be free tuition, prescriptions, childcare, bus passes, the baby box – or will he cut ADP [Adult Disability Payment] – Scotland's equivalent of PIP [Personal Independence Payment] - just like his bosses in London wanted to?" Stewart continued: 'The SNP are proud to have introduced progressive taxation in Scotland which ensures those on lower incomes pay a bit less while people on higher incomes pay more – and everybody benefits from the extra investment in public services. 'The truth is, Scottish Labour just want to bring Scotland in line with the rest of the UK regardless of the cost to the Scottish people – only the SNP can be trusted to stand up for a fairer Scotland that the vast majority of people want to live in.' Stewart's comments came as Scottish Government Finance Secretary Shona Robison urged Starmer to look north of the Border for a more progressive tax system to protect public spending. (Image: PA) Robison said that if Labour had followed the Scottish model, they would not be in the "complete fiscal mess that they are in now". She said: 'When Keir Starmer took office, he could have chosen to ask people on higher incomes to pay a little more in tax in order to protect public spending. 'Choosing instead to target the vulnerable is not leadership – frankly, it is political cowardice. READ MORE: More than 20 people arrested at protest in support of Palestine Action 'If Keir Starmer had done in England what the SNP have done in Scotland with taxation, Labour would not be in the complete fiscal mess that they are in now." Robison added that Labour need "a new direction – and they should look to Scotland". She continued: 'Labour used to tell Scotland that we didn't need independence and we just needed to get rid of the Tory government – but the last year has completely demolished that argument. 'No Westminster government will ever deliver the truly fair society which I believe the vast majority of people in Scotland want to live in – and that is why independence is the best future for Scotland.' Scottish Labour's spokesperson for economy, business and fair work, Daniel Johnson MSP, said: "Unlike the SNP, Scottish Labour won't use higher taxes on workers like nurses and firefighters as a substitute for economic growth. 'A Scottish Labour government will grow our economy, end the SNP's addiction to wasting our money and reform our public services so they are fit for the future. 'Next year Scots have the chance to kick out an SNP Government that can't be trusted with our money and take a new direction with Scottish Labour.'
The National
an hour ago
- The National
Keir Starmer told not to 'punish' children by keeping two-child cap
The SNP urged the Prime Minister to end the limit amid reports it could stay as a result of Labour watering down most of its welfare reforms. KEIR Starmer has been urged not to 'punish' children by keeping the two-child cap following Labour's partial U-turn on benefit cuts. The UK Government had attempted to save around £5 billion a year by cutting welfare, mostly for those claiming disability and health benefits, but made concessions following a revolt from MPs. READ MORE: At least 42 Palestinians killed by Israel as doctors warn babies facing death The move means the Treasury may not see any savings at all as the welfare budget is still set to rapidly rise in the coming years. Media reports suggest the move could see ministers keep the cap in order to save money. The Prime Minister previously indicated the Government would only abolish the two-child cap, which prevents parents from claiming child tax credit or universal credit for more than two children, when it had the money to do so. Asked in May whether he would scrap the policy, he said: 'We'll look at all options of driving down child poverty.' The SNP, which will mitigate the limit in Scotland by 2026, has urged the UK Government to scrap the cap, which it says is pushing thousands of children into poverty. The party said analysis from the House of Commons Library found that 2.3 million families could be lifted out of poverty if the UK Government matched Scottish Government policies. These included the Scottish Child Payment, abolishing the two-child benefit cap and scrapping the so-called bedroom tax. According to the House of Commons Library, these measures would lift 96,000 families in Scotland out of poverty. The analysis also shows that over the past decade the number of children living in poverty in the UK has risen from 3.7 million (27%) in 2013/14 to 4.5 million (31%) in 2023/24. That number is expected to rise to 4.6 million (33%) by 2029-30, according to the data. SNP deputy Westminster leader Pete Wishart urged the Prime Minister to have a rethink on his welfare plans. Pete Wishart MP (Image: PA) He said: 'Keir Starmer must not punish children for his disastrous mistakes over the Labour Party's cuts to disabled people. 'It is utterly shameful that as a direct result of Labour Party austerity cuts, child poverty is rising to record levels in the UK – and the Prime Minister is failing to lift a finger to tackle it. 'Scrapping the two-child benefit cap is the absolute bare minimum – and it should have been done on the Labour Government's first day in power. READ MORE: Here's why banning Orange marches would be a bad idea 'It's pathetic that senior Labour Party figures now want to keep this punitive welfare cut just to show rebel MPs who's in charge. 'Saving Keir Starmer embarrassment is not more important than tackling child poverty.' Wishart urged Starmer not to 'drag his feet' on the two-child cap and to instead match the SNP's Scottish Child Payment with a similar policy for the entire UK. He added: 'Thanks to SNP action, Scotland is the only part of the UK where child poverty is falling. 'Unless Keir Starmer urgently follow's Scotland's lead, his lasting legacy will be pushing millions of children into destitution.' A UK Government spokesperson said: 'We are determined to bring down child poverty. We've just announced a new £1 billion package to reform crisis support, including funding to ensure the poorest children do not go hungry outside of term time. 'This comes alongside the expansion to free breakfast clubs and the move to make over half-a-million more children eligible for free school meals. 'We have also increased the national minimum wage and are supporting 700,000 of the poorest families by introducing a fair repayment rate on universal credit deductions. 'We will publish an ambitious child poverty strategy later this year to ensure we deliver fully funded measures that tackle the structural and root causes of child poverty across the country.'
