Latest news with #CounterTerrorismCommand
The Journal
16 hours ago
- Politics
- The Journal
Kneecap won't be prosecuted for 'Kill your local MP' call at this time, Met Police say
MEMBERS OF BELFAST rap group Kneecap will not face any charges relating to footage allegedly calling for the death of British MPs during a gig in November 2023. Counter-terrorism police in the UK were assessing the footage, which appeared to show one band member telling the crowd: 'The only good Tory is a dead Tory. Kill your local MP.' A Met Police spokesperson said: 'A thorough investigation has now been completed by detectives from the Counter Terrorism Command, which included interviewing an individual under caution and seeking early investigative advice from the Crown Prosecution Service. Advertisement 'A range of offences were considered as part of the investigation. However, given the time elapsed between the events in the video and the video being brought to police attention, any potential summary only offences were beyond the statutory time limit for prosecution.' A decision has been made that no further action will be taken at this time, the spokesperson continued, and added that the police force understands the impact the decision may have on MPs. Kneecap have found themselves in hot water as of late as one member of the band, Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, who uses the stage name Mo Chara, was charged with displaying a flag in support of Hezbollah , a proscribed organisation in Britain. The charge followed a video that was uncovered and distributed of a gig the Belfast rap band did in the O2 Forum, Kentish Town, London last November. Ó hAnnaidh appeared before Westminster Magistrates' Court earlier this month, where hundreds of supporters were gathered outside waving Irish and Palestinian flags in support of the rap group. Related Reads Kneecap: What's the terror charge 'Mo Chara' is facing, what's the defence and the sentence? 'We will fight you in your court. We will win' - Kneecap slams 'political policing' after terror charge Yesterday, the band performed at Glastonbury to a packed audience. Their set was not live-streamed on the BBC due to criticism from politicians and Ó hAnnaidh's charge for a terror offence. British police said today they are assessing videos of comments made by Kneecap and another act, Bob Vylan, at the music festival yesterday to decide whether any offences may have been committed. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
Irish Times
19 hours ago
- Politics
- Irish Times
Terrorism inquiry into Kneecap's alleged call to murder Tory MPs dropped, Met Police confirms
None of the members of Belfast rap group Kneecap will be prosecuted over comments allegedly calling for British Conservative Party MPs to be killed. The Metropolitan Police has decided not to prosecute the band over the comments made at a concert in November 2023 . A clip posted on social media showed an unidentified member of the group saying: 'Kill your local MP. The only good Tory is a dead Tory.' The smartphone footage was made available to the Met Police in April following Kneecap's appearance at the Coachella festival in the US, at which the group displayed banners criticising Israel's actions in Gaza . READ MORE In a statement, the Metropolitan Police said it was dropping the inquiry because the alleged offences happened outside the statutory time limit for prosecution. 'A thorough investigation has now been completed by detectives from the Counter Terrorism Command, which included interviewing an individual under caution and seeking early investigative advice from the Crown Prosecution Service,' the force said. 'A range of offences were considered as part of the investigation. However, given the time elapsed between the events in the video and the video being brought to police attention, any potential summary only offences were beyond the statutory time limit for prosecution. 'Relevant indictable offences were considered by the investigation team and, based on all of the current evidence available, a decision has been made that no further action will be taken at this time.' The Met said it understood the 'impact this decision may have' on MPs and their staff. 'The safety and security of MPs is something that is taken extremely seriously across the whole of policing,' it said. 'MPs who may be concerned about their safety can contact their dedicated local Operation Bridger officer, who can provide further advice and support.' Kneecap later apologised for the comments to the families of murdered MPs David Amess and Jo Cox, who died in 2021 and 2016 respectively. The trio stated: 'To the Amess and Cox families, we send our heartfelt apologies, we never intended to cause you hurt.' A Met Police spokesman stressed that the matter was entirely separate from the charge of terrorism arising out of the alleged displaying of a Hizbullah flag at a Kneecap concert on November 21st last at the O2 Forum in Kentish Town, London. Hizbullah is a proscribed terrorist organisation in the UK. Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, 27, who goes under the name Mo Chara, appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court on June 18th . He was also filmed saying, 'up Hamas , up Hizbullah'. At the hearing, Brenda Campbell, the defendant's lawyer, claimed the charge was brought too late, as it came more than six months after the alleged crime was committed. Judge Paul Goldspring said a further hearing would be held on August 20th to determine whether the defence was correct in this assessment. The band had faced calls to be pulled from the bill at Glastonbury but played to a large crowd at the Somerset event on Saturday .
Irish Times
19 hours ago
- Politics
- Irish Times
Terrorism charges against Kneecap over alleged call to murder Tory MPs dropped, Met Police confirms
None of the members of Belfast rap group Kneecap will be prosecuted over comments allegedly calling for British Conservative Party MPs to be killed. The Metropolitan Police has decided not to prosecute the band over the comments made at a concert in November 2023 . A clip posted on social media showed an unidentified member of the band saying: 'Kill your local MP. The only good Tory is a dead Tory.' The smartphone footage was made available to the Met Police in April following Kneecap's appearance at the Coachella festival in the US, at which the group displayed banners criticising Israel's actions in Gaza . READ MORE In a statement, the Metropolitan Police said it was dropping the charges because the alleged offences happened outside the statutory time limit for prosecution. 'A thorough investigation has now been completed by detectives from the Counter Terrorism Command, which included interviewing an individual under caution and seeking early investigative advice from the Crown Prosecution Service,' the force said. 'A range of offences were considered as part of the investigation. However, given the time elapsed between the events in the video and the video being brought to police attention, any potential summary only offences were beyond the statutory time limit for prosecution. 'Relevant indictable offences were considered by the investigation team and, based on all of the current evidence available, a decision has been made that no further action will be taken at this time.' The Met said it understood the 'impact this decision may have' on MPs and their staff. 'The safety and security of MPs is something that is taken extremely seriously across the whole of policing,' it said. 'MPs who may be concerned about their safety can contact their dedicated local Operation Bridger officer, who can provide further advice and support.' Kneecap later apologised for the comments to the families of murdered MPs David Amess and Jo Cox, who died in 2021 and 2016 respectively. The trio stated: 'To the Amess and Cox families, we send our heartfelt apologies, we never intended to cause you hurt.' A Met Police spokesman stressed that the charge related to calling on Tory MPs to be killed is entirely separate from the charge of terrorism arising out of the alleged displaying of a Hizbullah flag at a Kneecap concert on November 21st last at the O2 Forum in Kentish Town, London. Hizbullah is a proscribed terrorist organisation in the UK. Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, 27, who goes under the name Mo Chara, appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court on June 18th . He was also filmed saying, 'up Hamas , up Hizbullah'. At the hearing, Brenda Campbell, the defendant's lawyer, claimed the charge was brought too late, as it came more than six months after the alleged crime was committed. Judge Paul Goldspring said a further hearing would be held on August 20th to determine whether the defence was correct in this assessment. The band had faced calls to be pulled from the bill at Glastonbury but played to a large crowd at the Somerset event on Saturday .
The Sun
21 hours ago
- Politics
- The Sun
Counter-terror cops won't prosecute Kneecap over ‘kill your MP' video that sparked furious backlash
CONTROVERSIAL hip hop group Kneecap will not be prosecuted by terror cops over their "kill your MP" remarks. The Irish band - who the BBC refused to broadcast live at Glastonbury yesterday - were subject of a terror probe by the Met Police. It related to a video which emerged last month calling for the death of British politicians. The trio responded with a grovelling statement, insisting they would not incite violence against any individual. And the Met Police has now said is will not proceed with the case for a number of reasons, including the "time elapsed between the events in the video and the video being brought to police attention". The force said: "A thorough investigation has now been completed by detectives from the Counter Terrorism Command, which included interviewing an individual under caution and seeking early investigative advice from the Crown Prosecution Service. "A range of offences were considered as part of the investigation. "However, given the time elapsed between the events in the video and the video being brought to police attention, any potential summary only offences were beyond the statutory time limit for prosecution. "Relevant indictable offences were considered by the investigation team and, based on all of the current evidence available, a decision has been made that no further action will be taken at this time." 1
Scottish Sun
02-06-2025
- Scottish Sun
Fourth man arrested over ‘arson attack' at homes linked to Sir Keir Starmer after cops swoop on Stansted airport
A FOURTH man has been arrested as part of an investigation into a series of fires at properties linked to Sir Keir Starmer in North London. Cops say a 48-year-old man was detained today at London Stansted Airport following the suspected arson attacks last month. 2 A forensics officer after a fire in Kentish Town, north London, last month Credit: PA 2 A 4x4 was also allegedly set alight Credit: PA He was initially stopped by officers under schedule 7 of the Terrorism Act, 2000, before being arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit arson with intent to endanger life. The arrest is connected to an investigation into a fire involving the PM's former Toyota Rav4 on May 8, a property where he once lived on May 11, and his family's former house on May 12. The man has been taken to a London police station, where he currently remains in police custody. Police have already charged Roman Lavrynovych, 21, a Ukrainian national, with three counts of arson with intent to endanger life; Stanislav Carpiuc, 26, a Romanian national, with conspiracy to commit arson with intent to endanger life; Petro Pochynok, 34, a Ukrainian national, with conspiracy to commit arson with intent to endanger life. The three men have been remanded in custody to next appear at the Old Bailey on Friday, (June 6). The investigation is being led by officers from the Met's Counter Terrorism Command due to the fires all having connections to a high-profile public figure. Anyone with information that could assist the investigation should call police on 101 quoting CAD 441/12 May. Enquiries remain ongoing.
