Corbyn Praised Kneecap as ‘Inspiring’ at ‘Hemp Cafe’ Love-in – Guido Fawkes

Corbyn Praised Kneecap as ‘Inspiring’ at ‘Hemp Cafe’ Love-in

Irish hip hop group Kneecap released a whiny statement last night after the Daily Mail reported it said to fans at a gig: “The only good Tory is a dead Tory. Kill your local MP.” The statement feigns innocence:

“Establishment figures, desperate to silence us, have combed through hundreds of hours of footage and interviews, extracting a handful of words from months or years ago to manufacture moral hysteria. Let us be unequivocal: we do not, and have never, supported Hamas or Hezbollah. We condemn all attacks on civilians, always. It is never okay. We know this more than anyone, given our nation’s history. We also reject any suggestion that we would seek to incite violence against any MP or individual. Ever. An extract of footage, deliberately taken out of all context, is now being exploited and weaponised, as if it were a call to action.“

At a November 2024 gig one band member can be heard shouting “up Hamas, up Hezbollah.” Kneecap had its funding blocked by Badenoch before Labour got in and then refused to contest a high court challenge against that decision due to it apparently having been “unlawful and procedurally unfair.” All major parties including the SNP have now denounced the group – one old party leader is keeping strangely quiet, though…

Counter-terror police are now reviewing statements made by the group. Former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn met with Kneecap in December 2023 for a chat in a ‘hemp cafe’ to help gather support for the Peace and Justice Project’s “open letter calling for an end to the siege of Gaza.” Corbyn said at the time “thanks guys for what you do in inspiring so many people” but has since the weekends’ reports kept silent on the band. Corbo has the opportunity to apologise for so vocally supporting the group – will he?

UPDATE: Labour MP David Taylor calls for Jeremy Corbyn to apologise for appearing with Kneecap.