Kneecap have Devon gig CANCELLED
The controversial Irish rappers were due to play at Plymouth Pavilions
Additional reporting by Charlotte McLaughlin, PA
Controversial rap group Kneecap has had a concert in Devon cancelled.
The Irish outfit, who've been criticised for political messaging displayed at gigs, were due to play at Plymouth Pavilion on July 4th.
The event was a replacement for the band after having an appearance at the Eden Sessions in Cornwall, on the same date, pulled by organisers.
In a statement, Plymouth Pavilions have said:
"Having taken advice from relevant authorities and agencies, it has been agreed that Kneecap's performance at our venue will no longer go ahead.
"The safety of our values visitors is always our primary concern and as such we feel confident in this decision - no further communications will be entered into."
Meanwhile, the band is being investigated by counter-terrorism police after videos emerged allegedly showing the band calling for the deaths of MPs and shouting "up Hamas, up Hezbollah".
Footage appeared to show one group member shouting "up Hamas, up Hezbollah" at a gig in November last year.
Video from November 2023 also appeared to show a rapper saying: "The only good Tory is a dead Tory. Kill your local MP."
The group apologised on Monday (28th April) to the families of murdered MPs but claimed footage of the incident had been "exploited and weaponised", while they also said they have "never supported" Hamas or Hezbollah, which are both banned organisations in the UK.
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch has called for Kneecap to be banned while other politicians pushed for the group to be dropped from the Glastonbury Festival line-up.
Today (Thursday 1st May), the Met Police said: "On April 22nd, we were made aware of an online video believed to be from a music event in London in November 2024.
"Following this, we were made aware of a further video, believed to be from another music event in London in November 2023.
"Both videos were referred to the Counter Terrorism Internet Referral Unit for assessment by specialist officers, who have determined there are grounds for further investigation into potential offences linked to both videos.
"The investigation is now being carried out by officers from the Met's Counter Terrorism Command and inquiries remain ongoing at this time."
In a statement posted on Instagram on Monday, the group, comprising Liam Og O Hannaidh, Naoise O Caireallain and JJ O Dochartaigh, addressed the families of Sir David Amess and Jo Cox, saying "we never intended to cause you hurt", and that they "reject any suggestion that we would seek to incite violence against any MP or individual".
It added: "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."
In a joint statement, artists including Pulp, Paul Weller, former BBC Radio 1 DJ Annie Mac and Primal Scream have defended the band, and said there is a "clear, concerted attempt to censor and ultimately deplatform" Kneecap.
It said politicians are "strategically concocting moral outrage over the stage utterings of a young punk band" while ignoring a "genocide" in Gaza, following the band calling attention to the war at Coachella.