Kneecap issue statement after being axed from TNSMT festival

Police Scotland said allowing the group to perform would require 'a significant policing operation'.

The Belfast rap trio took to social media to reveal that they had been withdrawn from the festival bill.

On X, they quoted a post from the BBC which said: "Kneecap pull out of TRNSMT over police concerns", and replied: "Kneecap didn't 'pull out' of TRNSMT - Kneecap were removed."

Police Scotland said that allowing the group to perform at the festival this July would require 'a significant policing operation'.

However, the group has now announced a gig in Glasgow's 02 Academy 'to try to make up for it'.

"To the thousands of people who bought tickets, flights and hotels to see us play, we are sorry...it is out of our hands," they said.

Their removal from the festival's lineup comes after Kneecap member Mo Chara was charged with a terrorism offence.

Mo Chara, whose real name is Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, was charged for allegedly displaying a flag in support of Hezbollah at the group's gig in London last year.

He is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court next month.

Furthermore, the group was criticised over footage from a 2023 gig in which a band member appeared to be saying: "The only good Tory is a dead Tory. Kill your local MP."

Scotland's First Minister John Swinney backed calls for Kneecap to be axed from the lineup over these comments.

The trio are due to perform at Glastonbury festival at the end of next month.