Kneecap avoids prosecution for controversial comments on MPs

In a significant development for the Irish rap group Kneecap, the Metropolitan Police announced on June 30, 2025, that no charges would be filed against the band in connection with a video recorded at a concert in November 2023. The video featured a member of Kneecap making remarks that included the controversial phrase, "Kill your MP." The police expressed that the investigation had to be closed due to the expiration of the statutory time limit for prosecution. The implications of the comments made by the group, however, were serious, particularly regarding the safety and security of Members of Parliament in the UK. This decision was preceded by internal discussions within the police force and drew attention from various political figures. The initial comments made by a band member drew criticism and were labeled as incendiary. The police had considered a range of potential criminal offenses during their investigation, but after taking into account the elapsed time since the comments were made and the evidence available, they concluded that pursuing charges would not be viable. Alongside this investigation, another ongoing case against band member Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh is noteworthy; he faces separate charges related to the display of a flag supporting Hezbollah at a previous event, which he has denied. In response to the public's concern and the outcry from politicians regarding the earlier comments, Kneecap clarified their stance, emphasizing that they do not support Hamas or Hezbollah and are advocating for the Palestinian cause in opposition to military actions in Gaza. Kneecap's performance at Glastonbury Festival, which included political chants against political leaders and a statement supporting a free Palestine, further inflamed the public debate surrounding their activism. Despite facing calls for their removal from the festival lineup, they continued to garner media attention. The group apologized to the families of murdered MPs Jo Cox and Sir David Amess after footage of their remarks circulated publicly, although Ó hAnnaidh insisted that the comments should be seen as satirical rather than threats. The controversy highlights the increasingly tense relationship between artists expressing political viewpoints and political leaders reacting to potential threats of violence against public figures.