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Irish language rap group Kneecap have won their discrimination case against the UK government after former business secretary Kemi Badenoch refused them funding.

The trio – who have been criticised by former Tory government members for some of their lyrics – launched legal action, claiming the decision to withhold the grant discriminated against them on grounds of nationalist and political opinion.

After a brief hearing at Belfast High Court on Friday, it was agreed the government would pay the band £14,250 – the same amount the grant was for.

The group’s application to the Music Export Growth Scheme, which supports UK-registered artists in global markets, was initially accepted by the British Phonographic Industry.

But it was later refused by Mrs Badenoch – now Conservative leader – when she was business secretary, as the grant is overseen by the Department for Business and Trade and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.

At the time, a government spokesperson said it fully supported freedom of speech, but that it was “hardly surprising” it did not want to hand out UK taxpayers’ money to those opposed to the United Kingdom.

The band said on Friday it would donate the money to two youth organisations in Belfast – one from a nationalist and one from a unionist area.

JJ O'Dochartaigh, also known as DJ Provai, of the Belfast-based rap group Kneecap, outside Belfast High Court, with lawyers Darragh Mackin (left) and Gavin Booth (right), after the Irish language rap-trio won its legal challenge over a decision by former business secretary Kemi Badenoch to refuse them a £14,250 funding award after the UK Government conceded at Belfast High Court it was "unlawful". Picture date: Friday November 29, 2024.
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DJ Provai outside Belfast High Court, with the band’s lawyers. Pic: PA

‘They have tried to silence us’

Band member DJ Provai arrived at court in an old Land Rover styled to look like a police vehicle, which was bearing the Irish and Palestinian flags and blaring loud music.

He was wearing his usual Irish tricolour balaclava, which he removed to enter the court building.

Speaking after the hearing, DJ Provai, whose real name is JJ O’Dochartaigh, said the band’s motivation was “equality”.

“For us, this action was never about £14,250; it could have been 50p,” he said.

“This was an attack on artistic culture, an attack on the Good Friday Agreement itself and an attack on Kneecap and our way of expressing ourselves.”

JJ O'Dochartaigh, also known as DJ Provai, of the Belfast-based rap group Kneecap, arrives at Belfast High Court where the Irish language rap-trio has won its legal challenge over a decision by former business secretary Kemi Badenoch to refuse them a £14,250 funding award after the UK Government conceded at Belfast High Court it was "unlawful". Picture date: Friday November 29, 2024.
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Pic: PA

He added: “The former secretary of state Kemi Badenoch and her department acted unlawfully; this is now a fact.

“They have tried to silence us and they have failed.”

A statement from the Department for Business and Trade said the government’s priority is to “try and reduce costs and help protect the taxpayer from further expense”.

It said the government will not contest Kneecap’s challenge as it does not believe it is in the public interest.

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Who are Kneecap?

Formed in 2017 in west Belfast, Kneecap consists of three friends who perform under the stage names Mo Chara, Moglai Bap and DJ Provai.

The group have previously voiced views in favour of Irish unity and a particularly provocative poster for their 2019 “Farewell to the Union” tour angered the Conservative Party.

Their song Brits Out (which they told Sky News earlier this year is a tongue-in-cheek poke at government rule) also caused controversy, while their references to drug-taking led to them being banned from Irish public service broadcaster RTE.

But the band has enjoyed huge success both on stage and screen.

Earlier this year they released a biopic film, also called Kneecap, starring Irish-German actor and Oscar nominee Michael Fassbender.

The film was likened to Trainspotting, 8 Mile and 24 Hour Party People by critics and in January, it won the audience award at the Sundance Film Festival, an internationally recognised showcase for independent cinema.

It has also been named as Ireland’s official submission for the best international feature film shortlist at the 2025 Oscars.

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Reading and Leeds festivals announce first headline acts

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Reading and Leeds festivals announce first headline acts

Reading and Leeds festivals have announced their first headline acts, with a host of first-time headliners including Chappell Roan set to play next summer.

With a stellar year following the release of her debut album The Rise And Fall Of A Midwest Princess, it will be Roan’s first festival headline set.

Rapper Travis Scott, known for his high on-stage energy and larger-than-life production, is also debuting in his Reading and Leeds headline slot.

Scott’s appearance is being billed as a “European exclusive”.

With seven albums to their name, it’s Bring Me The Horizon’s first headline slot too, although they have previously played at the festival.

Band frontman Oli Sykes said: “We are going to bring hands down the greatest show of our careers.

“It’s going to be our only UK performance next year and the final European show of the NEX GEN campaign before the band take time away, so if you want to see BMTH next year, this truly is your only chance. Can’t wait.”

British rapper AJ Tracey performs on the main stage at Reading Festival, in Reading, Britain, August 27, 2021. REUTERS/Henry Nicholls
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British rapper AJ Tracey performs at Reading. Pic: Reuters

Following his UK number-one album, Unreal Unearth, and first number-one song, Too Sweet, Hozier will also top the bill.

First appearing at Reading and Leeds in 2014, his 2025 headline slot is a UK festival exclusive performance.

Other acts on the line-up include two-time Brit award winner Becky Hill, rapper AJ Tracey, Rudimental, pop group The Kooks and rock act Bloc Party.

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Sammy Virji, Enter Shikari, Trippie Redd, Conan Gray, Amyl and The Sniffers, Wunderhorse and Royel Otis are also set to play.

Actress and singer Suki Waterhouse is also on the bill, with more acts still to be announced.

Tickets go on pre-sale on 6 December, with the general sale following on 9 December.

Reading and Leeds festivals run across the August Bank Holiday weekend, from 21 to 24 August.

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Gregg Wallace allegations ‘truly upsetting’, says MasterChef co-host John Torode

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Gregg Wallace allegations 'truly upsetting', says MasterChef co-host John Torode

MasterChef presenter John Torode has said he has found the recent reports about co-host Gregg Wallace “truly upsetting”.

The pair have presented the BBC One cooking show together for almost 20 years, since 2005.

In his first comments since the allegations surfaced, Torode said he would continue to be part of the programme, adding: “The thought of anyone who has appeared on our show not having a brilliant experience is awful to hear, and I have found the recent press reports truly upsetting.”

Wallace is facing allegations of inappropriate behaviour from more than a dozen people across a range of shows over a 17-year period. His lawyers have previously strongly denied “he engages in behaviour of a sexually harassing nature”, according to BBC News.

In a statement posted on Instagram, Torode said he had been away filming MasterChef overseas since last Friday.

“I love my job, and I love MasterChef,” he said. “I love being part of it and will continue to be part of it.

“During the last few days, I’ve been trying to make the best cookery programme, so being busy making the show and caring for our contestants has allowed me little time to think about anything else, but that has been hard.”

Pic: Yui Mok/PA

The BBC iPlayer app on a smart TV, displaying episodes of Masterchef available to watch on demand, in London. Further accusations have been made against TV presenter Gregg Wallace in the wake of him stepping away from hosting hit BBC show MasterChef while a review into complaints is carried out. Picture date: Monday December 2, 2024.
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MasterChef Christmas specials have been pulled from the schedule. Pic: Yui Mok/PA

Torode said he “fully” supports the current investigation into Wallace’s alleged behaviour, but could not comment further while it is ongoing.

“I hope that you all understand and respect my silence on the matter moving forward,” he added.

Torode rose to TV fame in the mid-1990s as the resident chef on ITV’s This Morning and joined the revamped version of MasterChef when it launched in 2005. The show, initially called MasterChef Goes Large, followed the original series, which was hosted by Lloyd Grossman from 1990 to 2001.

On Tuesday, the BBC confirmed it was removing two MasterChef celebrity Christmas specials from the schedule following the allegations about Wallace. However, the current series of MasterChef: The Professionals is airing as planned.

A spokesperson for the broadcaster said it took the decision as the series can be “life-changing” for the chefs taking part, but the “Christmas specials are obviously a different type of show”.

Read more:
What are the allegations – and what has Wallace said?
‘Middle-aged women’: An epic failure in crisis management

Wallace has temporarily stepped down from the cooking show while historical misconduct complaints are externally reviewed by producers Banijay UK.

The BBC has also pulled three repeat episodes of Inside The Factory from the Christmas schedule.

Torode response polar opposite of Wallace ramblings


Katie Spencer

Katie Spencer

Arts and entertainment correspondent

For two decades he’s stood shoulder-to-shoulder with Gregg Wallace but now, with one Instagram post, John Torode is attempting to massively distance himself from the man he’s stood so closely beside.

Literal distance, he says, is the reason he didn’t comment sooner. Keen to stress he’s been away filming overseas. At the same time acknowledging he’s struggled to think of little else.

In comparison to Wallace’s Sunday morning wildly misogynistic ramblings (for which he’s since apologised) it is the polar opposite of responses.

Theirs was always an unusual bond. Torode had, in interviews, often been keen to stress that the pair didn’t associate socially. Published quotes which Torode can, in the future, now helpfully point to when it comes to keeping the public on side.

Wallace has – via his lawyers – denied any behaviour of a sexually harassing nature. And he won’t have read his former co-presenter’s post on Instagram itself having reportedly already unfollowed him over the weekend.

With lawyers hired by Masterchef’s makers, Banijay, carrying out their independent investigation into allegations of misconduct by Wallace, it’s correct that he can’t say much more.

But it is a post that will please the BBC – with Torode respectfully expressing his upset at the claims whilst defending the beloved primetime show, suggesting he isn’t going anywhere and indicating his hopes that the show will go on with or without Wallace beside him.

Sky News can confirm the broadcaster was alerted to Wallace’s “unacceptable” behaviour while filming the series more than a year and a half ago, with a memo shared with staff at the Nestle factory in York showing concerns were raised after his final visit in February 2023.

More allegations have surfaced against the presenter this week – with two women claiming he had inappropriately touched them.

One told the BBC he “groped” her bottom, while another alleged he laughed after touching her bottom “with his waist and penis” when brushing past her. A third claimed Wallace’s penis was partially exposed in his dressing room in what she felt was a “power play”.

The Guardian also reported a complaint that he once asked a sign language interpreter to translate “big boobs” and “sexy bum” in front of the audience at the BBC Good Food Show.

Earlier, one former contestant told Sky News that a remark Wallace made when she returned as a guest judge left her crying in the toilets.

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‘If it’s just banter then why am I crying in the toilet?’

Another described the allegations as the “tip of the iceberg” when it comes to the show – claiming he witnessed a “toxic environment” on set and the problem was “larger” than just the presenter.

Sky News has contacted representatives for Wallace for comment on the allegations against him.

At the weekend, he shared a video dismissing the initial claims, putting them down to “middle-class women of a certain age”.

He later posted another clip apologising for the remarks.

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Wallace apologises for video: ‘I wasn’t in a good head space’

What have the BBC and producers said?

A spokesperson for Banijay UK, which has appointed a law firm to lead its investigation, has said the company takes complaints “incredibly seriously” but will not comment on individual allegations while the external investigation is ongoing.

“It is important to note that MasterChef welfare processes are regularly adapted and strengthened and there are clear protocols to support both crew and contributors,” the spokesperson said.

“These include multiple ways of reporting issues, including anonymously.”

In response to reports multiple complaints had been raised with the BBC, a source for the corporation said it would not comment on individuals or any internal HR processes, but that it would be “wrong to report the BBC has done nothing if or when matters have been raised with us – not least because it is already being widely reported there were interventions in both 2017 and 2018 where action was taken”.

Last week, a BBC spokesperson said any issues raised are taken seriously and there are “robust processes in place” to deal with them.

“We are always clear that any behaviour which falls below the standards expected by the BBC will not be tolerated,” they said.

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Nestle memo reveals BBC knew about ‘unacceptable’ behaviour from Gregg Wallace on factory show last year

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Nestle memo reveals BBC knew about 'unacceptable' behaviour from Gregg Wallace on factory show last year

The BBC was alerted to Gregg Wallace’s “unacceptable” behaviour while filming Inside The Factory more than a year and a half ago, Sky News can confirm.

A memo to staff at the Nestle factory in York shows concerns were raised with both the broadcaster and production company Voltage TV after Wallace’s final visit in February 2023.

The memo, which was shared on the company intranet, says the “experience of some of the team taking part in the filming had not been a pleasant one” and had “compromised” Nestle’s values.

An accompanying letter from Nestle’s head of media relations to the factory manager states: “We have written to the production company… and spoken to the BBC to bring our unacceptable experience to their attention in the hope that it is not repeated in other workplaces around the UK.”

While the letter does not name Wallace directly, it is understood to be in reference to him.

Wallace, who is best known for being a MasterChef presenter, is facing allegations of inappropriate behaviour from more than a dozen people across a range of shows over a 17-year period.

His lawyers have said it’s “entirely false that he engages in behaviour of a sexually harassing nature”.

Wallace quit as co-presenter of Inside the Factory in March 2023, saying he intended to focus on other TV commitments, and his young son, who is autistic.

At the time, there were reports the 60-year-old former greengrocer had offended some staff at the York factory with inappropriate comments.

The company’s memo reiterates a “zero-tolerance approach towards any allegation of discrimination, harassment or bullying of any kind in the workplace, whether this be by an employee, contractor, or visitor”.

Pic: Ken McKay/ITV/Shutterstock

John Torode, Greg Wallace
'This Morning' TV show, London, UK - 29 Aug 2023
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Wallace presents MasterChef alongside John Torode (left). Pic: Ken McKay/ITV/Shutterstock

It was the programme’s fifth visit to a Nestle site and its third to York, but the memo says “we will not be working with Inside the Factory again in the future” as the show “did not meet our high standards of respect”.

“We will not tolerate any kind of racism, misogyny, homophobia, bullying, exclusion or harassment and we have strict policies in place to deal swiftly and decisively with this kind of behaviour,” the memo adds.

Sky News has contacted representatives for Wallace, and the BBC and Voltage TV for comment.

Earlier on Tuesday, the BBC confirmed it was pulling three repeat episodes of Inside The Factory from the Christmas schedule.

It told Sky News it would not be removing them from iPlayer “at this stage”.

Two celebrity MasterChef Christmas specials have also been removed from the schedule.

Wallace has temporarily stepped down from the cooking show while the complaints are externally reviewed by a law firm.

Groping allegation

More allegations against the presenter surfaced on Tuesday – with two women claiming Wallace had inappropriately touched them.

One told the BBC he “groped” her bottom, while another alleged he laughed after touching her bottom “with his waist and penis” when brushing past her.

A third claimed Wallace’s penis was partially exposed in his dressing room in what she felt was a “power play”.

The Guardian also reported a complaint that he once asked a sign language interpreter to translate “big boobs” and “sexy bum” in front of the audience at the BBC Good Food Show.

Sky News has also asked the BBC and Wallace’s representatives for comment on these claims.

An increasing number of people have accused the presenter of inappropriate sexual comments in recent days, including a former contestant who told Sky News one remark left her crying in the toilets.

Jackie Kearney said she had been “troubled” by Wallace’s “household favourite status” as she felt he was “a bit of a sleaze behind closed doors”.

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‘If it’s just banter then why am I crying in the toilet?’

Another former contestant told Sky News the claims are just the “tip of the iceberg” when it comes to MasterChef.

He claimed to have witnessed a “toxic environment” on set and the problem was “larger” than just the presenter.

On Sunday, Wallace responded with a social media video dismissing his accusers as “middle-class women of a certain age”.

The remark prompted a huge backlash, with even Downing Street commenting.

He apologised in another clip on Monday, saying he “wasn’t in a good head space” when he posted the previous video.

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Wallace sorry for ‘middle-class women’ comments

Read more:
What are the allegations – and what has Wallace said?
‘Middle-aged women’: An epic failure in crisis management

What have the BBC and producers said?

Banijay UK has appointed law firm Lewis Silkin to lead the investigation.

A spokesperson said the company takes complaints “incredibly seriously” but will not comment on individual allegations while the external investigation is ongoing.

“It is important to note that MasterChef welfare processes are regularly adapted and strengthened and there are clear protocols to support both crew and contributors,” the Banijay spokesperson said.

“These include multiple ways of reporting issues, including anonymously.”

In response to reports multiple complaints had been raised with the BBC, a source for the corporation said it would not comment on individuals or any internal HR processes, but that it would be “wrong to report the BBC has done nothing if or when matters have been raised with us – not least because it is already being widely reported there were interventions in both 2017 and 2018 where action was taken”.

Last week, a BBC spokesperson said any issues raised are taken seriously and there are “robust processes in place” to deal with them.

“We are always clear that any behaviour which falls below the standards expected by the BBC will not be tolerated,” they said.

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