Belfast Rap Group’s Comments Spark Political Firestorm
Belfast rap trio Kneecap has responded to criticism following controversial footage from past concerts, claiming their words have been "exploited and weaponized" out of context. The group faces condemnation from Downing Street and Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch after a video emerged appearing to show a member saying, "The only good Tory is a dead Tory. Kill your local MP" at a November 2023 concert. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer's spokesman called the comments "completely unacceptable," while Taoiseach Micheรกl Martin demanded the band clarify alleged statements supporting Hamas and Hezbollah. In a statement, band members rejected suggestions they would "incite violence against any MP". They claimed establishment figures were attempting to "manufacture moral hysteria" to "derail the real conversation" about Gaza. They denied supporting Hamas or Hezbollah and apologized to the families of murdered MPs Jo Cox and David Amess. British […]
