The counter-terrorism police have today announced that a member of the Northern Irish hip hop band, Kneecap, has been charged with a terrorism offence.

This followed a report about a member of Kneecap to the counter terror police by UK Lawyers for Israel (UKLFI) on 21 March 2025.  The band member was waving a Hezbollah flag on stage, as well as dancing around with the flag wrapped around him. This occurred at a gig at the O2 forum in Kentish Town on 21 November 2024.  UKLFI also reported to the police that the band had been heard leading the audience at the same event in a chant of “Ooh-ahh Hezbollah”, as described by an article in the Spectator magazine.

Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, 27, has been charged by the Metropolitan Police with a terror offence as a result of this flag waving incident. Mr Ó hAnnaidh, who performs under the name Mo Chara, is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, 18 June 2025.

In April 2025, other people reported Kneecap to the police for another incident at the same event, when a band member was seen on video possibly shouting “up Hamas, up Hezbollah”.

UKLFI has written to all the venues where Kneecap is set to play this summer, warning them about the likelihood that Kneecap would repeat this kind of behaviour. UKLFI pointed out a long list of offensive and arguably illegal incidents involving the band.

Both Eden Sessions (at the Eden Project) in Cornwall and Plymouth Pavilions in Devon have cancelled shows by the group that were due to take place this summer, following UKLFI’s letters.

Kneecap are currently scheduled to headline Wide Awake festival in Brockwell Park, South London, on Friday, 23 May 2025.  UKLFI wrote to Lambeth Council, which owns Brockwell Park, and obtained assurances from the council about the event.

Lambeth Council has told UKLFI that it warned Kneecap’s promoter that the band has to comply with the Council’s Events Terms and Conditions.  These include clear provisions relating to public order, offensive content, and appropriate conduct.

Lambeth has received written confirmation from the promoter that these obligations have been communicated to the artists and will be fully observed.

“We continue to work closely with the event organiser, the police, and other key partners to ensure that the event is delivered safely, and that all residents and attendees feel supported and secure throughout,”   a member of Event Lambeth told UKLFI.

Now that the Kneecap member has been arrested, it remains to be seen whether Kneecap will be allowed and able to play at Brockwell Park