The Tories have warned Glastonbury Festival that it must withdraw its invitation to Kneecap to perform this year, or face accusations that they condone incitement to murder. Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp has just sent a blistering letter to the organisers, who are still yet to comment on the row despite days of outrage.
The Irish republican band Kneecap, which styles itself on the IRA and has spoken in support of terrorist organisations Hamas and Hezbollah, is now under investigation by the counterterror police. The move came after video footage emerged of the band telling an audience in 2023: “The only good Tory is a dead Tory. Kill your local MP.” The band has received condemnation from all sides, and seen an upcoming gig at the Eden Project cancelled.
However Glastonbury is still set to headline the band, and is remaining silent.
Writing to co-founder Sir Michael Eavis this morning, Chris Philp said the huge festival “should not be providing a platform or legitimacy to a group which has incited the murder of democratically elected MPs, especially when MPs have been murdered in the recent past.”
“I would be grateful if you could therefore urgently confirm that you will cancel the group’s invitation to play at Glastonbury.”
He warned: “Otherwise, you are yourself condoning incitement to violence and murder.”
The shadow Home Secretary also wrote to Yvette Cooper, his opposite in government, blasting her existing response as “too weak”.
He noted: “you have said that it is a matter for the organisers of Glastonbury on whether they drop this group from the festival line up. This response is too weak.”
“Will you therefore join me in writing to the organisers of Glastonbury asking that they cancel Kneecap from the festival line-up to ensure that this extremist band is not given a platform or legitimacy?”
A spokesperson for Eden Sessions, which organises shows at the Cornwall Eden Project, did not explain the reason behind their cancellation.
In a statement on Instagram, Kneecap said they “reject any suggestion that we would seek to incite violence against any MP or individual.”
“Kneecap’s message has always been – and remains – one of love, inclusion, and hope. This is why our music resonates across generations, countries, classes and cultures and has brought hundreds of thousands of people to our gigs.
“No smear campaign will change that.”
On Sunday, a Met Police spokesman said: “We were made aware of a video on April 22, believed to be from an event in November 2024, and it has been referred to the counter terrorism internet referral unit for assessment and to determine whether any further police investigation may be required.”
“We have also been made aware of another video believed to be from an event in November 2023.
He also said the force “are assessing both to determine whether further police investigation is required.”