Keir Starmer says Kneecap performing at Glastonbury is ‘not appropriate’

The rap trio are set to perform at the festival on June 28.

Member of the Belfast rap trio, Mo Chara (Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh) appeared in court in the UK this week after being charged with a terror offence.

This came after he allegedly displayed a Hezbollah flag at a gig in November. Hezbollah is proscribed as a terrorist organisation by the UK.

He has since been released on unconditional bail.

When asked by The Sun if the group should perform at the renowned festival, Starmer replied: "No, I don't, and I think we need to come down really clearly on this.

"This is about the threats that shouldn't be made, I won't say too much because there's a court case on, but I don't think that's appropriate."

The group responded to the PM's comments via social media, saying: "You know what's 'not appropriate' Keir?!

"Arming a f***ing genocide…

"Fuck The Sun and solidarity with Palestine Action."

These comments follow Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch that the BBC 'should not be showing' Kneecap's performance at the festival next week.

Taking to X, Badenoch wrote: "The BBC should not be showing Kneecap propaganda.

"One Kneecap band member is currently on bail, charged under the Terrorism Act.

"As a publicly funded platform, the BBC should not be rewarding extremism."

A spokesperson for the BBC said that as the festival's broadcast partner, they will bring audiences 'extensive music coverage from Glastonbury, with artists booked by the festival organisers.'

"Whilst the BBC doesn't ban artists, our plans will ensure that our programming will meet our editorial guidelines.

"Decisions about our output will be made in the lead-up to the festival," they added.

Just last year, Kneecap won a discrimination case against the UK government after Badenoch tried to refuse them a £14,250 funding award during her time as Prime Ministe

The Irish group posted a message to social media in response to her calls, simply stating: "Kneecap 2 Badenoch 0".[

Mo Chara will appear back in Westminster Magistrates' Court on Augsut 20 for his next hearing