Latest news with #JamesDornan
Daily Record
3 days ago
- Politics
- Daily Record
Glasgow politicians question decision to axe rappers Kneecap from TRNSMT
"Who exactly is threatening them? Israel? Supporters of genocide? Anti Irish protesters? Who exactly? This is an extremely worrying decision." Glasgow politicians have questioned the decision to axe Irish language rappers Kneecap from TRNSMT. The Belfast trio announced they have been removed from the music festival in Glasgow over police concerns about safety on Wednesday. It led to them revealing a replacement gig "to try to make up for it" at the O2 Academy in July, which has seen a pre sale sell out in 80 seconds. Glasgow Greens co-leader Jon Molyneux has questioned Police Scotland's position on TRNSMT and pointed out they routinely manage "major events." He said: "The police position on this is deeply questionable. We are talking about one band, playing for around 45 minutes, in six weeks' time, in a secure, ticketed, bag-searched environment. It stretches credibility to claim that this presents an insurmountable operational problem when the police routinely manage major events and demonstrations in the city. "In all of this one thing matters more than anything and that's that Kneecap isn't the story. The genocide and humanitarian crisis in Gaza is the story and we all have a duty to speak out on that." Glasgow Cathcart SNP MSP James Dornan said: "I'm truly concerned by the police statement that Kneecap should not play at TRNSMT because they can't guarantee their safety. Who exactly is threatening them? Israel? Supporters of genocide? Anti Irish protesters? Who exactly? This is an extremely worrying decision." Controversy over the gig had been growing with First Minister John Swinney calling for the performers to be dropped from the line-up. Glasgow SNP and Scottish Greens councillors were not in favour of the group being axed from TRNSMT. The artists attracted criticism after footage emerged from 2023 appearing to show one of them saying: "The only good Tory is a dead Tory. Kill your local MP." Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. A member of the group has also been charged with a terror offence after allegedly displaying a flag in support of proscribed organisation Hezbollah at a London gig. TRNSMT promoters DF Concerts said Kneecap would not perform on July 11 due to concerns expressed by the police about safety. A Police Scotland spokesperson said: "Any decision on the line up at TRNSMT is for the organisers and there was no prior consultation with Police Scotland before acts were booked. "Officers have highlighted the potential reaction of such a large audience to this band would require a significant policing operation in order to support the delivery of a safe event. "We have also passed on information from the public around safety concerns to allow organisers to make an informed decision on the running of the festival."
STV News
3 days ago
- Politics
- STV News
Glasgow politicians question Kneecap TRNSMT axe
Glasgow politicians have questioned the decision to axe Irish language rappers Kneecap from TRNSMT. The Belfast trio announced they have been removed from the music festival in Glasgow over police concerns about safety on Wednesday. It led to them revealing a replacement gig 'to try to make up for it' at the O2 Academy in July, which has seen a pre sale sell out in 80 seconds. Glasgow Greens co-leader Jon Molyneux has questioned Police Scotland's position on TRNSMT and pointed out they routinely manage 'major events.' He said: 'The police position on this is deeply questionable. We are talking about one band, playing for around 45 minutes, in six weeks' time, in a secure, ticketed, bag-searched environment. It stretches credibility to claim that this presents an insurmountable operational problem when the police routinely manage major events and demonstrations in the city. 'In all of this one thing matters more than anything and that's that Kneecap isn't the story. The genocide and humanitarian crisis in Gaza is the story and we all have a duty to speak out on that.' Glasgow Cathcart SNP MSP James Dornan said: 'I'm truly concerned by the police statement that Kneecap should not play at TRNSMT because they can't guarantee their safety. Who exactly is threatening them? Israel? Supporters of genocide? Anti Irish protesters? Who exactly? This is an extremely worrying decision.' Controversy over the gig had been growing with First Minister John Swinney calling for the performers to be dropped from the line-up. Glasgow SNP and Scottish Greens councillors were not in favour of the group being axed from TRNSMT. The artists attracted criticism after footage emerged from 2023 appearing to show one of them saying: 'The only good Tory is a dead Tory. Kill your local MP.' A member of the group has also been charged with a terror offence after allegedly displaying a flag in support of proscribed organisation Hezbollah at a London gig. TRNSMT promoters DF Concerts said Kneecap would not perform on July 11 due to concerns expressed by the police about safety. A Police Scotland spokesperson said: 'Any decision on the line up at TRNSMT is for the organisers and there was no prior consultation with Police Scotland before acts were booked. 'Officers have highlighted the potential reaction of such a large audience to this band would require a significant policing operation in order to support the delivery of a safe event. 'We have also passed on information from the public around safety concerns to allow organisers to make an informed decision on the running of the festival.' Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
Glasgow Times
3 days ago
- Politics
- Glasgow Times
'Deeply questionable': Glasgow politicians question Kneecap TRNSMT axe
The Belfast trio announced they have been removed from the music festival in Glasgow over police concerns about safety on Wednesday. It led to them revealing a replacement gig 'to try to make up for it' at the O2 Academy in July, which has seen a pre sale sell out in 80 seconds. Glasgow Greens co-leader Jon Molyneux has questioned Police Scotland's position on TRNSMT and pointed out they routinely manage 'major events.' He said: 'The police position on this is deeply questionable. We are talking about one band, playing for around 45 minutes, in six weeks' time, in a secure, ticketed, bag-searched environment. It stretches credibility to claim that this presents an insurmountable operational problem when the police routinely manage major events and demonstrations in the city. 'In all of this one thing matters more than anything and that's that Kneecap isn't the story. The genocide and humanitarian crisis in Gaza is the story and we all have a duty to speak out on that.' Glasgow Cathcart SNP MSP James Dornan said: 'I'm truly concerned by the police statement that Kneecap should not play at TRNSMT because they can't guarantee their safety. Who exactly is threatening them? Israel? Supporters of genocide? Anti Irish protesters? Who exactly? This is an extremely worrying decision.' Controversy over the gig had been growing with First Minister John Swinney calling for the performers to be dropped from the line-up. Glasgow SNP and Scottish Greens councillors were not in favour of the group being axed from TRNSMT. The artists attracted criticism after footage emerged from 2023 appearing to show one of them saying: 'The only good Tory is a dead Tory. Kill your local MP.' A member of the group has also been charged with a terror offence after allegedly displaying a flag in support of proscribed organisation Hezbollah at a London gig. TRNSMT promoters DF Concerts said Kneecap would not perform on July 11 due to concerns expressed by the police about safety. A Police Scotland spokesperson said: 'Any decision on the line up at TRNSMT is for the organisers and there was no prior consultation with Police Scotland before acts were booked. 'Officers have highlighted the potential reaction of such a large audience to this band would require a significant policing operation in order to support the delivery of a safe event. 'We have also passed on information from the public around safety concerns to allow organisers to make an informed decision on the running of the festival.'
The National
3 days ago
- Politics
- The National
MSP demands answers from Police Scotland over Kneecap 'safety concers'
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.
The National
12-05-2025
- Politics
- The National
Fury in Scotland and Wales over Keir Starmer's ‘speak English' post
The Prime Minister posted on social media a message to promote his plan, which includes a requirement of a higher standard of English including, for the first time, adult dependents required to display a basic understanding of the language. The effort comes as Labour battles a surge in support for Reform UK, which won the Runcorn and Helsby by-election and council seats across England with policies including a 'freeze' on immigration. READ MORE: Labour plan new immigration rules: How it works and how you're affected Starmer posted on Twitter/X: "If you want to live in the UK, you should speak English. That's common sense. So we're raising English language requirements across every main immigration route." SNP MSP James Dornan replied to the post, writing: "You truly are a Little Englander. Let's see how you cope if other countries follow suit and all these Costa Del Fortune residents come back with their illnesses and disabilities from countries where they think speaking the local language simply means shouting louder. Pathetic." Plaid Cymru Westminster leader Liz Saville Roberts (below) also responded, with :"The Welsh language holds the same legal status as the English language in Wales. Labour under Keir Starmer are forgetting about Wales and our nation's identity once again. "Where's the common sense in devaluing our heritage?" Neil Alexander, Scottish LibDems spokesperson for culture and sport, replied: "What about Gaelic Sir Keir? Are those speaking it in Scotland not welcome? It's almost like no lessons were learned in losing seats in the local elections to the LibDems." "If you live in Wales you should speak Welsh. Or are we not doing that?", Welsh author and presenter Jess Davies responded. BBC Radio 4 presenter David Aaronovitch said: "My grandmother couldn't. Would she have been sent back to Russia? Not let in in the first place?" READ MORE: Alister Jack sworn into House of Lords as Lord Jack of Courance One person wrote: "Genuinely had to check this didn't come from a parody account! "What about all the Brits living in Spain, Dubai etc. who don't speak a word of the countries language?" Another campaigner responded, "thalla's cac," which translates from Scottish Gaelic to "Away and sh*te [yourself]".
