Labour MP urges Glastonbury organisers to remove Kneecap from festival line-up

A Labour MP has written to organisers of the Glastonbury Festival, urging them to remove hip hop trio Kneecap from the bill after a member of the group allegedly called for the death of Conservative MPs.

David Taylor has written to Sir Michael Eavis to say it would be "deeply troubling" to see the band performing at the event, after video emerged of the group at a November 2023 gig appearing to show one member saying: "The only good Tory is a dead Tory. Kill your local MP."

Scotland Yard is looking into the incident, along with another concert from November 2024 in which a member of the band appeared to shout "Up Hamas, up Hezbollah" - groups which are banned as terrorist organisations in the UK.

The band are listed to play on the Saturday of this June's festival.

The DUP leader Gavin Robinson said Kneecap have become "a hatefest" that "promotes division".

He was speaking after the band came under fire after videos emerged appearing to show members expressing support for Hamas and Hezbollah, and saying "kill your local MP".

Speaking on Monday, Belfast East MP Gavin Robinson accused the band of performing in "a grotesque way" that "promotes division". He said a "slim defence" is put forward that argues the group "have freedom of this expression". "They have become a hate fest," he said, speaking at Stormont.

"When you listen to Katie Amess this morning, I don't think anyone could be failed to be moved by just how appalling and outrageous their position is," he said.

Ms Amess, the daughter of Conservative MP David Amess who was stabbed to death while meeting constituents in Essex in 2021, has called on Kneecap to apologise.

In his letter to Sir Michael, shared on X, Mr Taylor the MP for Hemel Hempstead, said: "By hosting such a group, Glastonbury Festival risks undermining its proud tradition of promoting peace, unity and social responsibility.

"It would be deeply troubling to see the festival provide a platform to individuals who advocate hatred and violence, especially at a time when political and social tensions are already high."

He added: "I urge you to reconsider the decision to host Kneecap and remove them from the list of performers.

"Doing so would send a clear message that Glastonbury stands firmly against violence, terrorism, and political extremism in all its forms."

Sir Keir Starmer's official spokesman said on Monday that the Prime Minister believes the comments from the band member were "completely unacceptable" and "condemns them in the strongest possible terms".

Ulster Unionist MP Robin Swann (South Antrim), speaking in the House of Commons, said: "Would the minister join me in condemning the recent statement by the so-called Irish rap band Kneecap, where it has actually been reported that they have said to their audience that they should kill their local MP and the only good Tory is a dead Tory?"

Home Office minister Dame Diana Johnson replied: "Yes, of course I would condemn any comments like that online."

Glastonbury Festival has been contacted for comment.

We have also contacted Kneecap's management for comment.