Police End Investigation into Kneecap's Controversial Glastonbury Performance

The Irish rap trio Kneecap will face no further action from the police following a criminal investigation launched into their performance at Glastonbury Festival in June. Avon and Somerset Police confirmed this decision, citing insufficient evidence to provide a realistic prospect of conviction for any offence. This announcement brings to an end a period of heightened scrutiny and public debate surrounding the band's set, which had drawn criticism and prompted a formal police inquiry.
The investigation was initiated after officers reviewed video and audio recordings from both Kneecap's performance and that of punk duo Bob Vylan, who also performed at the festival. The focus of the inquiry into Kneecap's set primarily revolved around comments made on stage about a forthcoming court case involving one of their band members, Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, also known as Mo Chara. During their performance, a member of Kneecap had jokingly suggested fans "start a riot" outside Mo Chara's impending court appearance, though they later clarified this as a call for "love and support, and support for Palestine," not actual violence. This particular comment, alongside the band's strong pro-Palestinian stance and previous controversies, appears to have triggered the police's initial review.
Kneecap, known for their provocative lyrics, use of the Irish language, and outspoken political views, particularly concerning Palestine, has been a lightning rod for controversy in recent months. Prior to their Glastonbury appearance, Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh had been charged with a terror offence for allegedly displaying a flag in support of the proscribed organisation Hezbollah at a London concert in November 2024. This existing legal issue, coupled with past remarks, including a video from 2023 where a band member appeared to call for the death of British Conservative MPs (for which the group later apologized, denying support for Hamas or Hezbollah), contributed to a climate of scrutiny around their Glastonbury booking. Indeed, there had been calls from various quarters, including UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, for the band to be removed from the festival line-up. Despite this pressure, Glastonbury organisers stood firm, allowing the band to perform.
During their high-profile Glastonbury set, Kneecap did not shy away from their political messaging. They led crowds in chants of "f**k Keir Starmer" and "Free Palestine," playing in front of a sea of Palestinian flags. Their performance opened with a montage of news clips depicting them as "antisemites and terrorist sympathisers," culminating in a distorted soundbite of Sharon Osbourne calling for their ban from Glastonbury. The band also took the opportunity to express gratitude to the Eavis family, the festival organisers, for resisting pressure to cancel their performance, and spoke about the historical context of British colonialism in Ireland informing their solidarity with Palestine. While the BBC opted not to broadcast Kneecap's set live, reportedly due to concerns around impartiality, the performance garnered significant attention both at the festival and in subsequent media reports.
The police investigation, publicly announced in June, generated further widespread media coverage, often with headlines that Kneecap themselves described as "wildly misleading." The band strongly maintained that no law was broken during their set, asserting that the investigation was a "political policing intimidation attempt" and a "targetted" attack on their activism. They argued that the controversies surrounding them were part of a "smear campaign" fueled by their vocal support for Palestine and criticism of Israel's actions in Gaza, which they describe as genocide.
On Friday, July 18, 2025, Kneecap shared a screenshot on social media of an email, purportedly from a senior investigating officer, confirming that "no further action" would be taken. This was followed by a public statement from Avon and Somerset Police reiterating their decision, which was made after seeking advice from the Crown Prosecution Service. The police statement specified that the decision was based on "insufficient evidence to provide a realistic prospect of conviction for any offence" related to Kneecap's performance. It is important to note that while the investigation into Kneecap's performance has concluded, police enquiries are reportedly continuing in relation to "separate comments made on stage during Bob Vylan's performance," where rapper Bobby Vylan led chants of "Death, death to the IDF (Israel Defence Forces)."
For Kneecap, the dropping of the investigation marks a significant moment, which they view as a vindication of their position and a partial victory against what they perceive as political targeting. In their social media post announcing the news, they stated: "One element of the political policing intimidation attempt is over." They emphasized the immense success of their Glastonbury set, noting how the area was closed an hour before due to overwhelming crowds, describing it as "A celebration of love and solidarity. A sea of good people at the world's most famous festival."
Despite this outcome, the band member Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh still faces the separate terror charge related to the alleged display of the Hezbollah flag. Kneecap continues to argue that these charges, like the Glastonbury investigation, are politically motivated attempts to silence their pro-Palestinian activism. The incident underscores the broader tensions surrounding artistic expression, political commentary, and the limits of free speech, particularly when intertwined with highly sensitive geopolitical issues. The resolution of the Glastonbury police investigation, while a relief for Kneecap, is likely just one chapter in their ongoing narrative of defying establishment norms and advocating for their causes through their music.
Source@BBC