MSP demands answers from Police Scotland over Kneecap 'safety concers'

The National

4 days ago

It comes after Kneecap were axed from TRNSMT amid concerns raised by police over safety.
They were due to perform at the festival on July 11 but organisers said the band would not be part of the line-up after concerns were expressed by police about safety at the event.
Police Scotland said any decision on the line-up is for TRNSMT organisers, and that no prior consultation with the force was made before acts were booked.
READ MORE: Kneecap announce new gig after being axed from TRNSMT
James Dornan, MSP for Cathcart, has requested several pieces of information as well as for Police Scotland to reconsider their decision and to request for TRNSMT to reinstatement Kneecap on the line-up.
The MSP wrote: "In order to alleviate public concern regarding potential threats or disruptions at the event, would be grateful if you could clarify the following:
What credible information did Police Scotland possess indicating there was a risk of an attack or significant disruption should Kneecap perform on the proposed date? Were there any representations made to you by organisations- including religious bodies -individuals, public authorities, or political representatives, from any jurisdiction, that influenced this decision? Did the group's well-publicised pro-Palestine, criticism of the Israeli government, and anti-genocide stance contribute to this outcome? To what extent did the fact that the concert was scheduled for 11 July - the day before Glasgow hosts two major, and several smaller, Orange Walks - influence your advice?
"While I recognise that certain information may be withheld for security reasons, it is crucial for public confidence that decisions of this nature are free from undue influence by
political or (semi-) religious organisations.
"It is equally important to understand if threats of public disorder prompted this course of action."
Dornan further highlighted that the Irish band has "performed at numerous venues, both independently and alongside other artists, without incident or threat".
Dornan (above) concluded by challenging chief constable Jo Farrell, writing: "The only reasonable conclusion, absent further information, is that Police Scotland feared that a high-profile, openly Irish Republican, pro-Palestine group might provoke hostility among some attendees of our multicultural, multi-faith city.
"If this is the case, I, along with many others, would be deeply disappointed that Police Scotland has yielded to such pressures."
Police Scotland have been contacted for comment.
In April, First Minister John Swinney had called for the organiser of the July festival to reconsider the group performing, following footage emerging that allegedly showed a member saying: 'The only good Tory is a dead Tory. Kill your local MP.'
Earlier this month, Kneecap member Liam Og O hAnnaidh, who performs under the stage name Mo Chara, was charged under the name Liam O'Hanna by the Metropolitan Police with a terror offence over the alleged display of a Hezbollah flag at a gig in November last year.
The group, also made up of Naoise O Caireallain and JJ O Dochartaigh, apologised last month to the families of murdered MPs but said footage of the incident had been 'exploited and weaponised'.
They also said they have 'never supported' Hamas or Hezbollah, both of which are banned in the UK.