Latest news with #UKTerrorismAct
The National
11 hours ago
- Entertainment
- The National
Kneecap responds to 'legend' who streamed their Glastonbury set
The Irish rap trio played to a packed-out crowd on the West Holts stage in Glastonbury on Saturday after festival organisers had to close access to the area over fears of overcrowding. However, hours before the group was due to take the stage, the BBC announced that they would not live stream their performance and instead would upload an on-demand version later on Saturday. The BBC's decision to omit Kneecap's performance from its live coverage prompted one festival goer to take matters into her own hands, as Helen Wilson live-streamed the set in its entirety on TikTok. READ MORE: Scottish refugee charity 'won't shut up, it will show up', says founder Wilson's stream amassed more than two million likes from those watching at home and even reportedly burned her fingers after holding up her phone for the hour-long show. Replying to a clip shared on her TikTok, Kneecap said: 'Helen you're a legend ! Tickets to any show just giz a shout! Grma.' Wilson, who was shocked at the band's comment on her live video, replied: 'I cannot believe this. 'Thank you so much for everything you do and stand for.' #Glastonbury2025 #Glasto Helen Wilson held her phone in air for one hour to live stream to break the BBC censorship of kneecap performance What a legend and big thank you Helen censorship from a government of starmer has no place in a democratic society — Mairtín (@Martin_BELFast) June 28, 2025 Wilson was also thanked by Kneecap fans across the internet branding her a 'true hero', with one person saying on X/Twitter: 'Honestly Helen was amazing!!! 'She has battery issues, her arms hurt, her phone kept getting too warm, but SHE BLOODY POWERED THROUGH! Peoples princess Helen!!' During the performance, Kneecap led the crowd in chants of "Free Palestine" along with joking that the "BBC editor is gonna have some job". Adding: 'Sometimes we feel helpless, sometimes we feel like we're not doing enough, and that's probably true sometimes. 'But the difference it makes to people in Palestine, when they see people from the other side of the world, to see this many people.' Mo Chara also declared to the crowd, 'Glastonbury, I'm a free man!' after recently being charged under the UK Terrorism Act. His comments come after he, real name Liam Og O hAnnaidh, 27, was charged with allegedly displaying a flag in support of proscribed terrorist organisation Hezbollah, while saying 'up Hamas, up Hezbollah' at a gig in November last year. The rapper, who performs under the stage name Mo Chara, was cheered by hundreds of supporters as he arrived with bandmates Naoise O Caireallain and JJ O Dochartaigh at Westminster Magistrates' Court in Free Mo Chara T-shirts. He was released on unconditional bail until his next hearing at the same court on August 20. Following the trio's performance on Saturday, police said they are assessing videos of comments made by Kneecap and Bob Vylan. Rapper Bobby Vylan, of rap punk duo Bob Vylan, led crowds on the festival's West Holts Stage in chants of: 'Free, free Palestine' and: 'Death, death to the IDF'. It has been reported that police are looking into Kneecap's performance after a member of the Irish rap trio suggested fans 'start a riot' outside his bandmate's upcoming court appearance.
The National
a day ago
- Entertainment
- The National
BBC cuts live feed for Kneecap Glastonbury performance
The rap trio said the corporation had contacted them hours before they were due to go live to say their performance would be available online on iPlayer from Saturday evening. However, fans were left unimpressed after the BBC cut the live stream of the West Holts Stage at Glastonbury ahead of Kneecap's set at 4pm on Saturday. The broadcaster had shown artist Bob Vylan's set before the Irish trio were set to perform, but cut away from the stage after it was announced they were on next. READ MORE: BBC announces U-turn on Neil Young's headline set at Glastonbury Earlier on Saturday, a BBC spokesperson said: 'As the broadcast partner, the BBC is bringing audiences extensive music coverage from Glastonbury, with artists booked by the festival organisers. 'Whilst the BBC doesn't ban artists, our plans ensure that our programming meets our editorial guidelines. We don't always live stream every act from the main stages and look to make an on-demand version of Kneecap's performance available on our digital platforms, alongside more than 90 other sets.' Despite the broadcaster announcing just hours before Kneecap were due to perform that they would not show the set live, fans have taken to social media to vent their frustration over the decision. One person said: 'BBC really are just gonna cut the feed for Kneecap. Completely unprecedented.' A second added: 'We cut the live feed for Kneecap at Glastonbury and we mute the boos for Israel at Eurovision. You see how it works yet?' A third person said: 'Pretty cowardly of the BBC and Tim Davie not to livestream Kneecap.' Meanwhile, with huge crowds building outside the West Holts Stage at Worthy Farm almost an hour before the gig was due to take place, the festival decided to close off the stage to try and prevent overcrowding, it has been reported. Despite the cut-off, the stage at the festival was still very much full, with a sea of Irish and Palestinian flags being flown above the thousands of fans. Mo Chara declared to the crowd, 'Glastonbury, I'm a free man!' after recently being charged under the UK Terrorism Act. His comments come after he, real name Liam Og O hAnnaidh, 27, was charged with allegedly displaying a flag in support of proscribed terrorist organisation Hezbollah, while saying 'up Hamas, up Hezbollah' at a gig in November last year. Last week, the rapper, who performs under the stage name Mo Chara, was cheered by hundreds of supporters as he arrived with bandmates Naoise O Caireallain and JJ O Dochartaigh at Westminster Magistrates' Court in Free Mo Chara T-shirts. He was released on unconditional bail until his next hearing at the same court on August 20. Following the calls from politicians, including the Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, for the trio not to perform at the festival, the BBC's coverage of Kneecap's performance has been at the centre of much speculation. Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch also said the BBC 'should not be showing' the trio's set in a post on social media last week.
Express Tribune
18-06-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
UK court grants bail to Kneecap rapper Mo Chara in terror charge case
Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, known by his stage name Mo Chara and a member of the Irish-language rap group Kneecap, was granted unconditional bail on Wednesday following a court appearance at Westminster Magistrates' Court. The 27-year-old faces a terrorism-related charge under the UK Terrorism Act for allegedly displaying a Hezbollah flag and shouting 'Up Hamas, Up Hezbollah' during a concert in London in November 2024. The hearing sparked a strong public response, with hundreds of supporters—including musicians and politicians—gathering outside the courthouse. Many waved Irish and Palestinian flags, chanted 'Free Mo Chara' and 'Free Palestine,' and wore T-shirts emblazoned with the rapper's name. The courtroom itself was at full capacity, requiring extra seats for the press. Mo Chara, wearing a Palestinian keffiyeh, spoke only to confirm his identity. -Reuters. Prosecutor Michael Bisgrove emphasised that the case was not about the rapper's political views or his support for the Palestinian cause. 'He is well within his rights to voice his opinions and his solidarity,' Bisgrove told the court. Instead, the charge hinges on video footage showing Mo Chara allegedly displaying a Hezbollah flag and making pro-Hamas remarks—both offences under UK law given the organisations' designation as terrorist groups. Defence lawyer Brenda Campbell argued the charge was laid beyond the six-month legal window for such an offence, asserting, 'If we are right in relation to that, then this court has no jurisdiction and there ends the case.' She also said the prosecution appeared to be 'an attempt to criminalise political expression.' Outside the court, Darragh Mackin, another member of Mo Chara's legal team, addressed the crowd of supporters, saying: 'The more they come after Kneecap, the louder they will get.' Kneecap has denied the allegations in full. In a statement released shortly after the charge was filed, the group said, 'We do not, and have never, supported Hamas or Hezbollah,' calling the prosecution 'political policing' and a distraction from Israel's military actions in Gaza and the West Bank. A follow-up hearing is scheduled for August 20, where the court will determine whether the charge is legally valid within the statutory timeframe.
