Badenoch demands prosecution of rap group over 'dead Tory' remark

Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch has demanded the prosecution of rap trio Kneecap after video emerged of the band allegedly advocating for the death of Tory MPs.

Footage of the group at a November 2023 gig appears to show one member saying: "The only good Tory is a dead Tory. Kill your local MP." Downing Street has described the alleged comments as "completely unacceptable".

Police are investigating - and are also assessing footage reportedly from a gig a year later in London's Kentish Town Forum. In the November 2024 video, a member of the band appears to shout "up Hamas, up Hezbollah" - referencing groups which are banned as terrorist organisations in the UK.

A Metropolitan Police spokesman said: "We were made aware of a video on 22 April, 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." Mrs Badenoch said it was "good" the police were looking into the allegations, adding: "Kneecap's glorification of terrorism and anti-British hatred has no place in our society.

"Now footage shows one of them saying: 'The only good Tory is a dead Tory. Kill your local MP'.

"After the murder of Sir David Amess, this demands prosecution." Conservative MP Sir David was stabbed to death while meeting constituents in Leigh-on-Sea, Essex, in 2021. Kneecap, made up of Liam Og O Hannaidh, Naoise O Caireallain and JJ O Dochartaigh, have said they are facing a "co-ordinated smear campaign" after speaking out about "the ongoing genocide against the Palestinian people".

Mrs Badenoch and Kneecap are already known to each other. Read more from Sky News:UK temperatures could hit 29C this weekM&S tells agency staff to stay at home The Tory leader blocked a government grant to the bilingual Belfast group while she was business secretary.

But last November, Kneecap won a discrimination challenge over the decision to refuse them a £14,250 funding award after the UK government conceded it was "unlawful". Downing Street condemned the alleged comments.

"We do not think individuals expressing those views should be receiving government funding," the prime minister's official spokesman said. Asked if the money should be returned, the spokesman added: "That's up to the group, but clearly the PM rejects the views expressed ...

does not shy away from condemning them.".