Getty ImagesFirst Minister John Swinney has joined calls for band Kneecap to be axed from TRNSMT after a video emerged of the group appearing to urge fans to “kill your local MP”.
The clip has prompted calls from MSPs for the Northern Irish rap group to be axed from this summer’s music festival in Glasgow.
The group are due to headline the King Tut’s stage on the opening night of TRNSMT on Friday, July 11.
A video of the band at a 2023 gig appeared to show one member saying: “The only good Tory is a dead Tory. Kill your local MP.”
Footage from a previous gig is being assessed by counter-terrorism police.
Sir Keir Starmer’s official spokesman said the Prime Minister believes the comments were “completely unacceptable” and “condemns them in the strongest possible terms”.
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch said Kneecap’s “anti-British hatred has no place in our society” as she called for them to face action.
First Minister John Swinney said the band’s comments were “unacceptable”.
STV NewsAsked about the comments on Monday, the SNP leader said after his speech to the STUC Congress in Dundee: “I’m not familiar with the band Kneecap, but I’ve become aware of their comments today.
“I think these comments are completely and utterly unacceptable and if they’re performing at TRNSMT, or proposed to be performing at TRNSMT, I think the organisers of TRNSMT have got to consider that issue.”
Sue Webber, Conservative MSP for Lothian, told STV News: “I’m flabbergasted to learn that a band could be so crass in their language.
“To learn of the language they have been throwing around is absolutely despicable. I’m disgusted frankly.”
She added: “They need to be taken off that platform on the Friday night at TRNSMT.
“There’s no way they should be given the main stage or even a small stage at a music festival that is the pinnacle of Scottish culture for our young people.
“They should not be there whatsoever.”
The band, made up of Liam Og O Hannaidh, Naoise O Caireallain and JJ O Dochartaigh, claim they are facing a “co-ordinated smear campaign” after speaking out about “the ongoing genocide against the Palestinian people”.
On Sunday, a Metropolitan Police spokesman said: “We were made aware of a video on April 22, believed to be from an event in November 2024, and it has been referred to the counter-terrorism internet referral unit for assessment and to determine whether any further police investigation may be required.
“We have also been made aware of another video believed to be from an event in November 2023.”
He also said the force “are assessing both to determine whether further police investigation is required”.
The counter-terrorism internet referral unit (CTIRU) is a national counter-terrorism policing unit based within the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command which is dedicated to identifying terrorist and extremist material online.
Police will carry out an investigation if the material breaches the law.
TRNSMT has been contacted for comment.
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