Belfast City Council has distanced itself from a controversial Kneecap concert on its land, as terror police investigate videos of the rap group allegedly calling for the death of British MPs. The situation has sparked political debate and ongoing security inquiries.
Belfast City Council has stated that it is not responsible for a forthcoming concert by the Northern Irish rap group Kneecap, which is scheduled to take place on land under its jurisdiction. The announcement comes amid ongoing investigations by terror police following the emergence of a second video showing the controversial band allegedly making calls for the death of British Members of Parliament (MPs).
The video in question, dating from a November 2023 performance, appears to capture one member of Kneecap delivering the line: “The only good Tory is a dead Tory. Kill your local MP.” This has intensified scrutiny and debate over the group and their public statements.
In the wake of the controversy, an Alliance Party Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) took to social media to clarify that he was not defending the band, aiming to address any misunderstandings regarding his stance on the situation.
The Belfast Telegraph reports that the investigations by security forces are ongoing, reflecting the sensitivity and seriousness with which the content of the videos has been treated. Meanwhile, the status of the concert and the council’s role in it remain focal points of public and political interest.
Source: Noah Wire Services
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative references a November 2023 video linked to ongoing investigations, indicating recent relevance. No evidence of recycled press release content was identified, though the article’s own freshness depends on the latest developments in an active security probe.
Quotes check
Score:
7
Notes:
The quoted line (“The only good Tory is a dead Tory...”) is attributed to a specific November 2023 performance but lacks direct attribution to an original public recording. No earlier instances of this exact phrasing were verifiable, suggesting potential original reporting.
Source reliability
Score:
9
Notes:
The narrative originates from the Belfast Telegraph, a well-established regional publication with editorial oversight, though specific article authorship details are unavailable.
Plausability check
Score:
8
Notes:
Claims align with verified facts: Kneecap’s controversial history, ongoing security probes in Northern Ireland, and council disclaimers about event responsibility are consistent with established patterns. However, the specific MP threat allegation remains under investigation.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH
Summary:
The narrative demonstrates strong alignment with verifiable facts and originates from a reputable source. While the quoted material’s originality requires caution, the absence of contradictory evidence and ongoing official investigations support its plausibility.
