Kneecap appoint legal ‘dream team' including Birmingham Six lawyer ahead of terror charge court case
The group claim the charges are part of an establishment campaign to silence them over their criticism of Israel over Gaza. Scores of fellow artists, including Paul Weller, Massive Attack and Portishead, have come out in support of the group.
The rap trio have announced the legal team that will represent Ó Hannaidh when he appears at Westminster Magistrates' Court next Wednesday.
It includes experts in human rights and criminal defence law, such as international human rights lawyer Darragh Mackin, who represented Stardust fire families, and criminal defence expert Gareth Peirce, who has defended the Birmingham Six and the Guilford Four.
"The British establishment is conducting a campaign against Kneecap which is to be fought in Westminster Magistrates court,' the band said in a statement.
"We are ready for this fight. We are proud to have a strong legal team with us. We are on the right side of history. You are not. We will fight you in your court. We will win.'
They described the team of six high-profile lawyers as 'the dream team'.
Human rights lawyer Mr Mackin, who is 'renowned for his representation of the families of the Stardust fire, the 'Hooded Men' who were subject to torture by the British Government, and his role in changing the law against abortion in the North', will be accompanied by Ms Peirce and Brenda Campbell KC, the band said.
They described Ms Campbell as 'a high-profile criminal defence specialist regularly appearing in cases relating to terrorism and protest law' who has previously represented 'the families of the Hillsborough disaster, the Stardust families and the family of Noah Donohoe'.
Jude Bunting KC, an 'expert in freedom of expression' who has appeared for national and international media outlets, including 'in the challenge to MI5 for their handling of a neo-Nazi agent' who abused his partner, will also be involved in the case, the band said.
ADVERTISEMENT
Barrister Blinne Ní Ghrálaigh KC, who recently appeared before the International Criminal Court of Justice on behalf of South Africa in the genocide case against Israel over its actions in Gaza, and Rosalyn Comyn, who recently acted for the environmental protesters who threw soup at Van Gogh's Sunflowers painting in their appeal against their sentence, will also appear.
Kneecap have previously said they will 'vehemently defend' themselves against the terrorism offence brought Ó hAnnaidh by British police, describing it as 'political' and a 'distraction'.
He was charged over the alleged display of a flag in support of Hezbollah at a gig at the O2 Forum in Kentish Town, north London, in November last year by the Metropolitan Police by postal requisition on May 21.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Irish Sun
an hour ago
- The Irish Sun
I was sexually assaulted hundreds of feet in air while on paraglide ride during Tunisia holiday… I felt violated & dirty
Michelle said the young Tunisian man, who was strapped behind her, was talking to her in Arabic during the sordid attack MUM 'VIOLATED' I was sexually assaulted hundreds of feet in air while on paraglide ride during Tunisia holiday… I felt violated & dirty A BRITISH holidaymaker claims she was sexually assaulted in the air by a paraglide operator. Mum-of-three Michelle Wilson, 52, says the man pressed himself against her and groped her during the thrill ride in Tunisia. Advertisement 7 Michelle Wilson claims she was sexually assaulted in the air by a paraglide operator Credit: PP. 7 Michelle says the man pressed himself against her and groped her during the thrill ride in Tunisia 7 Michelle was taken on the flight with a young Tunisian operator strapped behind her She said: 'I felt violated and dirty and was scared.' Michelle was taken on the flight with a young Tunisian operator strapped behind her. Footage shows him positioning himself so he was directly behind Michelle, who was wearing a bikini, and pressing up against her. Michelle, from Southport, Merseyside, said: 'I could feel the back of my bikini bottoms being pulled and he was pulling the strap. He must have been tightening the harness to get me closer. Advertisement 'His legs straddled around me, he had one hand up on the parachute, the other wasn't. Then I felt him touch my leg. 'He was groping me and was moving back and forth into me and was talking to me in Arabic. I felt him pressing against me. 'I kept arching my back. I felt violated and dirty and was scared. He was only a young lad, maybe around 20. 'It was a horrible experience and I was really scared. I felt helpless hanging in the air.' Advertisement She burst into tears when she landed and complained to the water sports centre's manager, then to the local police. Michelle paid £6,000 for the holiday in Sousse with her daughter, 17, her 16-year-old twin boys and her daughter's friend, also 17. Tunisia and the island of Djerba But she said she felt unable to enjoy the rest of her trip and 'didn't feel safe until I was at home'. She said: 'As women you expect a bit of banter from men in these countries, but this wasn't banter, it was a sexual assault.' Advertisement Michelle believes her attacker has since been arrested. Her insurance company and the Foreign Office are assisting in the case. EasyJet said: 'The safety and wellbeing of our customers is a priority, and we are continuing to support Ms Wilson. 'We are also liaising closely with our hotel partner to look into the reports.' Advertisement 7 Michelle said: 'I could feel the back of my bikini bottoms being pulled and he was pulling the strap' 7 Footage shows Michelle on the paraglide ride 7 The Brit mum said she 'didn't feel safe' for the rest of the holiday 7 Michelle said: 'I felt violated and dirty and was scared'
The Irish Sun
2 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Iconic TV channel axe all UK production after almost three decades as it becomes latest casualty of streaming
END OF AN ERA Iconic TV channel axe all UK production after almost three decades as it becomes latest casualty of streaming I USED to love going to my best mate's house to watch MTV when I was a kid in the Nineties because my parents were too tight to pay for extra TV channels. But youngsters now won't be able to do the same, as I'm told MTV UK is the latest casualty of social media and streaming. Advertisement 4 MTV UK is the latest casualty of social media and streaming Credit: Alamy 4 Stars including Emma Willis got their big breaks in telly thanks to the station Credit: Alamy 4 Cat Deeley presenting on the beloved channel 4 Kelly Brook appearing on MTV UK Credit: Supplied My insiders said the station has been axed in all but name after bosses quietly closed the UK production arm of the channel. MTV spin doctors insist the station 'will still have a presence', but concede they will no longer be making original music content. Instead, generic US shows will be aired alongside the usual rolling music videos. Notable cancellations include original series Gonzo and Fresh Out UK. As well as being a huge blow to British music, it's also a major loss to up-and-coming presenting talent. Stars including Kelly Brook, Emma Willis and Cat Deeley all got their big breaks in telly thanks to the station. Advertisement READ MORE ON MTV NO SHOW MTV AXE two huge Geordie Shore spin-offs - leaving cast fuming Greg James and Joel Dommett also hosted on the channel earlier in their careers. My source said: 'Everyone at MTV is gutted. To say there has been a bloodbath of cuts would be an understatement. 'Staff have been left in tears as some have been there for decades. "Those that are left fear more doom and gloom could be around the corner.' It comes after the EMAs — the European answer to the famous VMAs — was axed for this year in another cost- saving measure. Advertisement A spokesman said: 'MTV UK is sunsetting local series Gonzo and Fresh Out UK, beginning this month. 'We are deeply grateful to our hosts Jack Saunders and Becca Dudley, the talented artists who have been a part of these series, as well as the teams who brought them to life. Watch emotional moment Ozzy Osbourne speak about amazing life with Sharon in resurfaced moment from The Osbournes as rocker tragically dies 'Fans can continue to enjoy global music shows like the MTV VMAs, STANS and Ozzy Osbourne: No Escape From Now on MTV and Paramount+, alongside digital music content on our MTV UK social channels.' I know nothing can ever stay the way it was . . . but this just makes me want to go back to the Nineties. Advertisement
The Irish Sun
3 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Brit Channel 4 stars detained in Iran on espionage charges ‘moved to separate prisons after being subjected to torture'
The couple's worried family revealed that they hadn't had any direct contact with them since their initial incarceration PRISON HELL Brit Channel 4 stars detained in Iran on espionage charges 'moved to separate prisons after being subjected to torture' THE British Channel 4 stars currently detained in Iran on espionage charges have reportedly been moved to separate prisons after being subjected to torture. Husband and wife Craig and Lindsay Foreman have spent over half-a-year days in jail since being detained during a round-the-world motorbike trip. Advertisement 6 Craig and Lindsay Foreman have spent over half-a-year in an Iranian jail since being arrested on spy charges Credit: Rex 6 The British couple had been on a round-the-world motorcycle trip Credit: Facebook/PPK2K RTW Motorcycle Mission 6 Ever since their incarceration, the pair have hardly spoken to their loved ones and mainly had contact with the Foreign Office Credit: Rex The Brits entered Iran despite being warned by the Foreign Office and their family to avoid passing through the notoriously strict state. The couple, both in their 50s, were held back in January on unspecified espionage charges. The Iranian government claimed they were 'posing as tourists' to gather intelligence against the Middle East nation. The couple's worried family revealed that they hadn't had any direct contact with them since their initial incarceration. Advertisement And the Foreign Office said, until recent weeks, it couldn't confirm their whereabouts. Now, it's thought the couple have been cruelly separated and moved from a security detention facility in Kerman, the Daily Mail reports. Lindsay Foreman was recently transferred to Qarchak Prison, meanwhile her husband Craig was moved to Greater Tehran Prison, according to information obtained by Hengaw Organization for Human Rights. The two prisons are over 20 miles from one another. Advertisement The charity also claimed in a statement that during their detention in Kerman, the Brits were "'subjected to severe pressure and torture aimed at extracting forced confessions". It added how their family has become understandably increasingly concerned and their well-being - especially considering the recent heightened tensions between Israel and Iran. Brit brother & sister, 11 & 13, who drowned on Spain beach as dad tried to save them had begged for 'one last swim' The pair first travelled into Iran from Armenia on December 30, and reportedly planned to leave by January 4, as they headed for Australia. While in Iran they visited Tabriz, the capital Tehran, and Isfahan before staying in Kerman. Advertisement It was here where they were picked up by police and arrested. At the time, the Foreign Office said the couples arrest had "caused significant concern". The couple, who had previously been featured on Channel 4's A New Life in the Sun, had ignored pleas from friends, family and the Foreign Office (FCDO) not to enter Iran. FCDO guidance explicitly warns against all travel to the country, cautioning that British citizens could be arrested simply for their nationality. Advertisement Despite this, the pair acknowledged the extreme risk in a social media post on December 30. It read: 'Despite the advice of friends, family, and the FCDO (which strongly advises against travel to Iran for British nationals), we've chosen to keep moving forward. 6 The pair shared pictures of them in Iran before their arrest Credit: Facebook/PPK2K RTW Motorcycle Mission 6 Brit couple Craig & Lindsay Foreman (whose faces were blurred) meeting British ambassador Hugo Shorter Credit: X/Iran Nuances Advertisement 6 The couple were warned not to travel to Iran by their family and friends Credit: Rex 'Why? Because we believe that, no matter where you are in the world, most people are good, kind humans striving for a meaningful life. Yes, we're aware of the risks. 'We also know the rewards of meeting incredible people, hearing their stories, and seeing the breathtaking landscapes of these regions could far outweigh the fear.' The UK government has been urged to act quickly to try and free the pair. Advertisement Richard Ratcliffe, whose wife Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe was imprisoned in Iran for six years, urged officials to move faster than they did in her case. He said: 'My heart goes out to them, and I hope they are not in for a long ordeal, and that the government is able to respond more promptly than it did in our case."
