Latest news with #KneecapGlastonbury
The National
6 days ago
- The National
Fire breaks out at Newton Mearns sheltered housing complex
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service said crews found a 'well developed fire' when they arrived at Mearnsview Court on Broomburn Drive in Newton Mearns on Friday morning. Four appliances were initially sent to the incident when the alarm was raised at 10.34am. READ MORE: Police drop investigation into Kneecap Glastonbury performance A further two appliances and specialist resources were then sent to help tackle the blaze in a second floor flat of the three-storey building. A Police Scotland spokesperson said the force was called to the scene at around 10.50am, adding: 'Officers are in attendance to assist [[Scottish Fire and Rescue Service]].' It is not yet known whether there are any casualties.
The National
6 days ago
- Politics
- The National
Legal complaint filed after Kent police threaten woman with Palestine flag
On Thursday, The National reported how one officer told Laura Murton, 42, that mentioning "freedom of Gaza, Israel, genocide" fell foul of terrorism laws. The Guardian reported that she was confronted by police in Canterbury, Kent, who accused her of expressing support for the proscribed group Palestine Action. When asked whether she supported any proscribed organisations, Murton replied: "I do not." READ MORE: Police drop investigation into Kneecap Glastonbury performance, band says Murton said she had no signs mentioning Palestine Action. Kent Police confirmed that no further action was taken. On Friday, lawyers from the International Centre for Justice for Palestinians (ICJP) filed an official legal complaint with Kent Police over the incident. In a letter sent to both Kent Police and Home Secretary Yvette Cooper, the ICJP demanded a formal investigation be opened into why Murton was threatened with arrest on terror charges despite explicitly rejecting support for proscribed organisations when asked by officers. The ICJP noted that Murton had no material in her possession that "made any reference to Palestine Action or any other proscribed organisation". "It is of deep concern that Kent Police officers appear to regard anti-war statements and the Palestinian flag as evidence giving rise to a reasonable suspicion of a terrorism offence," the letter went on. "This is not only an alarming misinterpretation of the Terrorism Act, but also a stance that is offensive to Palestinians and their supporters and fundamentally incompatible with objective, lawful policing." The ICJP said that the incident "represents the sought chilling effect on speech and assembly of those who wish to speak out against Israel's violations of international law". The legal organisation added: "As expected, the ban is being misused to police the support for Palestine more generally, and any opposition to Israel's genocide in Gaza." The terror group designation for Palestine Action, brought in by the Labour Government earlier this month, means that membership of or support for the group is a criminal offence punishable by up to 14 years in prison. Condemning Israeli actions in Gaza or showing support for Palestine does not automatically create any connection to a proscribed organisation such as Palestine Action. READ MORE: Police Scotland issue terror charge for man with 'Palestine Action poster in window' The ICJP said that opposition to war crimes and calls for accountability under international law are not grounds for suspicion under the Terrorism Act. The group pointed to the High Court ruling in the judicial review concerning the proscription of Palestine Action, in which Justice Chamberlain stated: "'It will remain lawful for the claimant and other persons who were members of the PA [Palestine Action] prior to proscription to continue to express their opposition to Israel's actions in Gaza and elsewhere, including by drawing attention to what they regard as Israel's genocide and other serious violations of international law. "They will remain legally entitled to do so in private conversations, in print, on social media and at protests.' The ICJP urged Kent Police to issue a formal apology to Murton, as well as a public statement to provide assurances "that terrorism legislation will not be misapplied to peaceful protesters". In addition, the group called on Kent Police to immediately review and revise their training and guidance for officers regarding the use of terrorism legislation, and to initiate a formal investigation into those involved in the incident. The ICJP also requested clarity from the Home Secretary on what guidance the Home Office has issued to police officers regarding protests that do not relate to Palestine Action. READ MORE: RECAP: Activist arrested at protest in support of Palestine Action in Glasgow A Kent Police spokesperson had previously told The Guardian that "it is a criminal offence to carry or display items that may arouse reasonable suspicion that an individual is a member or supporter of a proscribed organisation such as Palestine Action". However, after being contacted by The National, the force said that officers had attended and "having ascertained no offences had been committed, no further action was taken". Both Kent Police and the Home Office have been approached for comment.
The National
6 days ago
- Politics
- The National
Activist slams 'draconian' law as protester arrested at Palestine Action demo
Notorious protester Sean Clerkin, 64, was arrested in Glasgow's Nelson Mandela Place on Friday after attending a demonstration held against the proscription of Palestine Action as a terrorist group. He was detained by officers after holding a sign that read 'Genocide in Palestine, time to take action". It comes after 46 arrests were made earlier this week at another protest demonstrating against Palestine Action being designated a proscribed terror group. READ MORE: Police drop probe into Kneecap Glastonbury performance, band says Mick Napier, the Scottish Palestine Solidarity Campaign's official spokesperson, spoke to The National at the scene and condemned the arrest, adding: 'The man arrested carried a piece of paper that said on it 'Genocide in Palestine. Time to take action'. 'He was protesting against an earlier arrest of somebody wearing a t-shirt with the same wording and that's the wording that now gets you arrested under the Terrorism Act. 'We've now reached a stage where people can be jailed for a very long period of time for expressing opposition to the genocide in Palestine and calling for action. 'We don't know how far away those two words have to be before you avoid arrest and draconian sentences under this new legislation.' Video footage from the scene shows Clerkin being surrounded by police officers and put into a police van after standing wit the sign next to Napier, who was speaking through a megaphone. Chants of 'let him go' could be heard from activists as Clerkin was arrested. (Image: NQ) The protest dispersed quickly after Clerkin was escorted away but a number of officers stayed to keep watch and several members of the public stopped to ask what was happening. One woman spoke to The National to say she had been considering attending the demonstration with a sign saying 'stop the murderous actions in Palestine', but she feared she might be arrested. 'I was quite afraid, I shamefully have to say, because I don't want to be in the cells,' she said. 'Having said that, part of me wishes that I did [attend], because my sign says 'stop the murderous actions in Palestine'. That is not saying, as preposterous as we all know it is, 'I support Palestine Action'. So how can they conflate them altogether? 'It's very disturbing. God knows what will happen at the national demo. There will be a lot of people holding placards and they can't arrest everyone. It's a circus.' READ MORE: Scottish Labour spent 3 times more than SNP at last General Election Hundreds of people are expected to attend a pro-Palestine demonstration in Edinburgh on Saturday against the UK Government and media's 'complicity' in the genocide in Gaza. The protest, organised by the Gaza Genocide Emergency Committee (GGEC), was called in response to a joint report published earlier this week by The National and Declassified UK. Clerkin previously held up a banner which read "England Out of Scotland" at the SNP conference in Edinburgh, and in 2018, he was booted out of the party for taking a stance against the controversial Growth Commission report, which embarrassed the SNP by suggesting that an independent Scotland would need to impose austerity for the first 10 years after leaving the UK. Clerkin also made a complaint to the police that led to Operation Branchform, the probe which investigated the finances of the [[SNP]] which led to the arrests of Peter Murrell, Nicola Sturgeon and Colin Beattie. Sturgeon and Beattie were later cleared, while Murrell was charged. A Police Scotland spokesperson said: "Officers are currently in attendance at Nelson Mandela Place in Glasgow where a protest group has gathered. "A 64-year-old man has been arrested in connection with an offence under the Terrorism Act for displaying a sign expressing support for a proscribed organisation. "Officers remain at the scene."
Wales Online
04-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
Wet Leg singer says Bob Vylan and Kneecap Glastonbury reaction is ‘messed up'
Wet Leg singer says Bob Vylan and Kneecap Glastonbury reaction is 'messed up' The 32-year-old indie rocker's band played on Friday afternoon at the festival Wet Leg (Image: Coventry Live/Tristan Potter ) Wet Leg singer Rhian Teasdale has told the PA news agency she feels the post-Glastonbury Festival reaction to sets by Bob Vylan and Kneecap is "messed up". The 32-year-old indie rocker's band played on Friday afternoon at the festival, where Bob Vylan and Kneecap's Saturday sets are being investigated by Avon and Somerset Police to decide whether any offences were committed. Bobby Vylan, of Bob Vylan, whose real name is reportedly Pascal Robinson-Foster, 34, led crowds on the festival's West Holts Stage in chants of "death, death to the IDF (Israel Defence Forces)", before a member of Irish rap trio Kneecap joked that fans should "start a riot" outside his bandmate's upcoming court appearance, and led the crowd on chants of "f*** Keir Starmer". Teasdale said she was concerned by the fallout from their sets, and added she feels it is "powerful" for artists to speak up. The singer told PA: "It shouldn't have to be considered brave to call out a genocide - that should be the absolute bare minimum. "But the fact that people are being punished, silenced, or villainised for doing so shows just how messed up things are. I don't think it's brave to speak out - I think it's necessary. Article continues below "What's scary is how dangerous or controversial that's being made to seem. The media has focused so much on bands like Bob Vylan and Kneecap, but they weren't the only ones speaking out. Every other artist showed support for Palestine across the weekend. "So why are these two being singled out? It feels like a deliberate attempt to create scapegoats, to distract from the actual message – which is simply calling out a genocide. "Coming out of the Glastonbury bubble and seeing how much of that pro-Palestine messaging was cut from the BBC footage was honestly chilling. It shows how reality can be edited, distorted. "That level of control over public perception feels dystopian, and it's exactly why speaking out, even imperfectly, is so important right now." Bob Vylan's set at the festival, which was livestreamed at the time, is not available on iPlayer, and after the festival the BBC said it would no longer livestream acts it deems "high risk". Other acts to show their support for Palestine across the weekend included Wolf Alice, CMAT, Gurriers, and Black Country, New Road. The star, who grew up on the Isle Of Wight, says she herself wants to "do better" at speaking up about important issues, having been inspired by Australian hard rockers Amyl And The Sniffers. She told PA: "I think what these artists are doing is powerful. I saw Amyl And The Sniffers that weekend, and I really admired how she (Amyl And The Sniffers lead singer Amy Taylor) used her set to speak about Palestine. "At one point she said, 'I was going to say something more poetic, and it's not perfect, but I think it's better to say something than say nothing at all'. That really stuck with me. "It was honest and human - not polished, but true, and it reminded me that saying something imperfect is still far more meaningful than staying silent. "That really resonated with me because speaking about Palestine on stage isn't something I take lightly. It's not about me - and I never want to make it about me - but I do feel a huge responsibility to get it right. "I don't want to dilute the message or speak over the people whose voices actually need to be heard. That tension can make it hard to know exactly what to say, but the alternative - saying nothing - isn't acceptable either." Made up of singer and guitarist Teasdale, guitarist Hester Chambers, drummer Henry Holmes, multi-instrumentalist Josh Mobaraki, and bass player Ellis Durand, Wet Leg rose to fame with their viral single Chaise Longue. The band will release their second LP Moisturizer on July 11, having performed songs from it such as Davina McColl, Catch These Fists and CPR during their Glastonbury appearance. Punk duo Bob Vylan issued a statement on Tuesday claiming they were being "targeted for speaking up". The pair have also had their US visas revoked before their tour later this year, were pulled from their Saturday headline slot at Radar festival in Manchester, and from an upcoming performance at a German music venue. Bob Vylan are expected to perform at the Boardmasters surfing and music festival in Newquay, Cornwall, in August. It has also emerged that Bob Vylan were already under investigation by police for comments made at a performance one month before Glastonbury. Article continues below Video footage appears to show Bobby Vylan at Alexandra Palace telling crowds: "Death to every single IDF soldier out there as an agent of terror for Israel. Death to the IDF." The BBC has been contacted for comment.
Wales Online
30-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
Bob Vylan and Kneecap Glastonbury performances being investigated by police
Bob Vylan and Kneecap Glastonbury performances being investigated by police Rapper Bobby Vylan's performance at the festival has sparked controversy Bob Vylan of Bob Vylan performs during day four of Glastonbury festival 2025 (Image: Redferns ) Bob Vylan and Kneecap's performances at Glastonbury Festival on Saturday are now subject to a criminal investigation and have been recorded as a public order incident, Avon and Somerset Police said. A police spokesperson said: 'Video footage and audio from Bob Vylan and Kneecap's performances at Glastonbury Festival on Saturday has been reviewed. 'Following the completion of that assessment process we have decided further inquiries are required and a criminal investigation is now being undertaken. A senior detective has been appointed to lead this investigation. 'This has been recorded as a public order incident at this time while our inquiries are at an early stage. The investigation will be evidence-led and will closely consider all appropriate legislation, including relating to hate crimes. 'We have received a large amount of contact in relation to these events from people across the world and recognise the strength of public feeling. There is absolutely no place in society for hate. Article continues below 'Neighbourhood policing teams are speaking with people in their local communities and key stakeholders to make sure anyone who needs us knows that we are here for them. We hope the work we have carried out, and are continuing to carry out, reassures the public how seriously we are treating Saturday's events. 'We politely ask the public refrain from continuing to report this matter to us because an investigation is already taking place.'
