Police have confirmed that “no further action” will be taken in relation to allegations that Northern Irish rap group Kneecap called on a crowd to “kill your MP” at a concert in 2023.
The group had come under investigation by the Met after footage emerged on social media allegedly showing one of its members saying “the only good Tory is a dead Tory” while on stage.
The force said that it had conducted a “thorough investigation” of the footage, but had decided not to proceed with charges.
While it said it “understands the impact this decision may have on MPs and their staff”, it reiterated that their safety “is taken extremely seriously” and that “relevant indictable offences were considered by the investigation team”.
A spokesperson also suggested that the length of time between the alleged incident taking place and it being brought to public attention could mean that the “statutory time limit for prosecution” may have been missed.
The investigation was separate to the one into band member Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, known by his stage name Mo Chara, after he was filmed allegedly draped in a Hezbollah flag and shouting “up Hamas, up Hezbollah” during a gig in London last year.
That probe led to Chara being charged with displaying an article in support of a proscribed organisation, contrary to the Terrorism Act 2000.
He appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on June 18, where he was released on unconditional bail.
He is due back in court on August 20, where a judge will assess arguments made by his defence related to jurisdiction and the statutory time limit, though the hearing is not expected to examine the merit of the prosecution’s case.
Chara, and the two other members of Kneecap, have long maintained that he has not committed any crime and have claimed that the charges against him are part of a “smear campaign” orchestrated by the British “establishment” and designed to “silence” the group’s pro-Palestine activism.
The band is also potentially facing a third investigation in relation to its performance at Glastonbury over the weekend. Avon and Somerset Police confirmed it was reviewing footage of multiple acts which appeared on the West Holts stage that afternoon.
This is understood to refer to a member of Kneecap allegedly calling for fans to “riot” outside the court at Chara’s next hearing – before reportedly retracting the comment – as well as the frontman of punk duo Bob Vylan leading a chant of “death, death to the IDF”.
Announcing the decision not to pursue charges over the MP comments, a Met Police spokesperson said: “A thorough investigation has now been completed by detectives from the Counter Terrorism Command, which included interviewing an individual under caution and seeking early investigative advice from the Crown Prosecution Service.
“A range of offences were considered as part of the investigation. However, given the time elapsed between the events in the video and the video being brought to police attention, any potential summary only offences were beyond the statutory time limit for prosecution.
“Relevant indictable offences were considered by the investigation team and, based on all of the current evidence available, a decision has been made that no further action will be taken at this time.
“We understand the impact this decision may have on MPs and their staff. The safety and security of MPs is something that is taken extremely seriously across the whole of policing.
"MPs who may be concerned about their safety can contact their dedicated local Operation Bridger officer, who can provide further advice and support.”
