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Keir Starmer calls for Kneecap to be yanked from Glastonbury line-up after arrest

Keir Starmer calls for Kneecap to be yanked from Glastonbury line-up after arrest

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On June 25, Glastonbury 2025 will debut with some of the biggest acts in the world performing in concert at the venue.

The Prime Minister doesn’t believe it’s appropriate to have Kneecap play Glastonbury(Image: AP)

Kneecap should be axed from Glastonbury lineup, according to Prime Minister Keir Starmer. The band was scheduled to perform at the 2025 festival, but due to recent events, the PM doesn’t believe it would be appropriate.

He made the statement after Kneecap member Liam g hAnnaidh, who was facing a terror offence, appeared in court. This alleged connection to him allegedly displaying a flag and making remarks at a concert in support of the terrorist organization Hezbollah, which is prohibited.

Since Liam hAnnaidh is able to play at Glastonbury, he goes by the stage name Mo Chara and was delayed until later in the summer. The festival will begin on June 25 and continue until June 30.

The band is due to perform at the festival
The band is due to perform at the festival(Image: Redferns)

Starmer was asked by The Sun if he thinks Kneecap should perform at the annual festival. He said: “No, I don’t. I think we need to come down really clearly on this. I won’t say too much, because there’s a court case on, but I don’t think that’s appropriate.” The band are scheduled to perform on the West Holts Stage on Saturday.

Since the incident, O hAnnaidh has been supported by Naoise O Caireallain and JJ O Dochartaigh, the other band members. They stated in a court statement that “we can see you there on Saturday at 4pm for anyone coming to Glastonbury.”

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“If you can’t be there we’ll be on the BBC. Most importantly: free, free Palestine.” Liam Ó hAnnaidh has denied the allegations. Shortly after the charges, the band said in a statement: “”We deny this ‘offence’ and will vehemently defend ourselves. This is political policing. This is a carnival of distraction. We are not the story. Genocide is. As they profit from genocide, they use an ‘anti-terror law’ against us for displaying a flag thrown on stage.”

Prosecutor Michael Bisgrove summarised the allegations, saying: “It’s not about Mr Óg Ó hAnnaidh’s support for the people of Palestine or his criticism of Israel.

Keir has called for the band not to play
Keir has called for the band not to play(Image: Getty Images)

He is, as any other person, fully entitled to voice his opinions and show his solidarity. The video recording from a separate incident in this case shows that Mr. O hAnnaidh wore and displayed the flag of Hezbollah, a prohibited terrorist organization, while saying, “Up Hamas, up Hezbollah,” according to him.

Starmer’s comments came as Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch said she thought the BBC “should not be showing” Kneecap’s performance at the festival.

In an X-post, Badenoch claimed that “The BBC shouldn’t be showing Kneecap propaganda.” One Kneecap band member is currently being held on bail and charged with terrorism. The BBC shouldn’t be praising extremism because it is a publicly traded platform.

The BBC will provide extensive music coverage from Glastonbury, according to a BBC spokesperson. The festival’s organisers have booked musicians for the event. Our plans will ensure that our programming will adhere to our editorial guidelines, even though the BBC doesn’t outlaw artists. In the weeks leading up to the festival, decisions will be made regarding our output.

The Mirror have contacted Glastonbury for comment. Glastonbury is due to kick off this Wednesday where some of the world’s biggest music artists will perform.

Fans of the event believe that a secret act may be performing on stage. People are persuaded that the singer’s band will play the secret set as an American rock legend arrives in London just days before Worthy Farm’s festivities begin.

The iconic music festival is returning on Wednesday, with British pop band The 1975, folk star Neil Young and his band the Chrome Hearts, and US pop singer Olivia Rodrigo headlining. Fans are convinced Patchwork are in fact The Foo Fighters, thanks to Dave Grohl being spotted in London recently.

At the Royal Albert Hall’s Yeah Yeah Yeahs concert, he was seen backstage. He has never been a fan of surprise Glastonbury sets.

His band’s first major UK performance since the band’s drummer Taylor Hawkins’ passing in 2022 was The Churn Ups, which they performed at the Somerset festival in 2023.

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READ MORE: Maura Higgins just shared which affordable cream bronzer she uses to get glowy makeup on holiday

Source: Mirror

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