Jeremy Corbyn’s Peace and Justice Project has published a statement backing Kneecap’s right to continue playing at Glastonbury.
They wrote on X: “This past week has seen a clear, concerted attempt to censor and ultimately deplatform @KNEECAPCEOL. In a democracy, no political figures or political parties should have the right to dictate who does and does not play at music festivals or gigs.”
It comes as Pulp, IDLES and Fontaines D.C. among dozens of artists to sign Heavenly Recordings letter defending Kneecap’s “freedom of expression.”
The letter is a direct response to the ongoing controversy around Kneecap – who are signed to Heavenly – and the efforts from politicians to have them removed from festival line-ups this summer, including Glastonbury and TRNSMT.
Corbyn apology
Now, some sections are demanding that Jeremy Corbyn must apologise as he has met with Kneecap in the past.
Mr Corbyn previously commended the band as “inspiring” in 2023.
His ongoing support for the band comes after Labour MP David Taylor asked whether he would apologise for his previous close association with the group.
Mr Taylor said in Parliament: “Yesterday I wrote to Glastonbury Festival asking them to remove this music group from their lineup.
They have allegedly called for the murder of Conservative colleagues in this House, and because we’ve seen the footage of them appearing to show support for Hezbollah and Hamas, including the waving of a flag of the proscribed organisation.
“Words, as others have said, have tragic consequences, and beloved colleagues Jo Cox and Sir David Amess were tragically murdered.
“June 16, 2016 [the day Jo Cox was murdered] remains one of the worst days of my life.
“We all have a duty to prevent this ever happening again … May I also ask if [the minister] agrees with me that whilst there is a police investigation, iTunes, Spotify, YouTube and others should strongly consider taking their music off their platform until that investigation is over.
“May I also note the absence of the member for Islington North [Jeremy Corbyn], who is not involved in this discussion?
“And will he join me in condemning his appearance in a photograph with that group, and calling for him to apologise for appearing in a photo with that group?”
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Related: Kemi Badenoch a ‘hypocrite’ over Kneecap & Corbyn comments
