The daughter of murdered MP Sir David Amess has praised “swift action taken by law enforcement” after counter-terror police confirmed they are investigating claims the band Kneecap called for people to kill their MPs.

The Metropolitan Police revealed on Thursday that its Counter Terrorism Internet Referral Unit has found “there are grounds for further investigation into potential offences” in connection to two videos of the rap group.

The first, believed to be from a Kneecap gig at London’s Kentish Town Forum in November 2024, allegedly shows one member of the band shouting: “Up Hamas, up Hezbollah”.

The second, thought to be from a separate concert in November 2023, reportedly sees another say: “The only good Tory is a dead Tory. Kill your local MP.”

Sir David, Conservative MP for Southend-on-Sea, was murdered by Ali Harbi Ali at his constituency surgery in Leigh-on-Sea in October 2021.

It was the second murder of a British MP in less than 10 years, following the murder of Labour’s Jo Cox by Thomas Mair in 2016.

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Previously the Met said it was assessing whether the two clips of the Irish language trio met the threshold for an investigation.

Katie Amess said in response to their decision on Thursday to pursue an investigation: “Kneecap’s rhetoric is not only abhorrent but poses a direct threat to the safety and well-being of elected officials and the democratic institutions they represent.

“The glorification and incitement of violence have no place in our society and must be unequivocally condemned.

“I commend the swift action taken by law enforcement agencies in addressing this and urge a thorough investigation to determine the full extent of any criminal activity.”

She added that musicians “must be held accountable” for rhetoric that “incites violence and hatred” and that cultural venues should “not be exploited to propagate messages of hate”.

In a statement posted on Instagram, the group – made up of Liam Og O Hannaidh, Naoise O Caireallain and JJ O Dochartaigh – addressed the families of murdered MPs Sir David Amess and Jo Cox, saying: “We never intended to cause you hurt.”

But Ms Amess accused them of “gaslighting”, saying their comments were “absurd” and “not an apology”.

Dozens of artists come out in support

Since the controversy emerged amid a backlash over their performance at US festival Coachella, in which they displayed the message “Free Israel. Free Palestine”, more than 40 artists have come out to support them.

Paul Weller, Primal Scream and DJ Annie Mac are among the music stars to have signed an open letter claiming there has been a “clear, concerted attempt to censor and ultimately de-platform” the band.

Kneecap had their concert at the Eden Project in Cornwall cancelled on Wednesday.

In its statement on Thursday, the Met Police confirmed: “Both videos were referred to the Counter Terrorism Internet Referral Unit for assessment by specialist officers, who have determined there are grounds for further investigation into potential offences linked to both videos.

“The investigation is now being carried out by officers from the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command and inquiries remain ongoing at this time.”

Paul Weller, Primal Scream and DJ Annie Mac are among the music stars who have signed a letter in support of rap group Kneecap.

The politically-charged Belfast trio, who are no strangers to controversy, have faced criticism in recent weeks following a performance at US festival Coachella in which they displayed the message “F*** Israel. Free Palestine”.

Then came the emergence of footage, taken from a gig at London’s Kentish Town Forum last November, which appeared to show one member of the group shouting “up Hamas, up Hezbollah”.

Video also emerged from a November 2023 gig, appearing to show one member of the group saying: “The only good Tory is a dead Tory. Kill your local MP.”

Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch called for Kneecap to face prosecution over the two videos, while Glastonbury Festival is now facing pressure to drop them from this year’s line-up.

A handful of the group’s gigs have been cancelled, including one that was set to take place at Cornwall’s Eden Project.

In an open letter, the group’s record label, Heavenly Recordings, said there had been a “clear, concerted attempt to censor and ultimately deplatform” the group.

More than 40 music acts have now signed the letter.

It reads: “As artists, we feel the need to register our opposition to any political repression of artistic freedom.

“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 that will be enjoyed by thousands of people.”

It also accuses politicians of “strategically concocting moral outrage over the stage utterings of a young punk band” while ignoring a “genocide” in Gaza.

“Kneecap are not the story. Gaza is the story. Genocide is the story,” it says. “And the silence, acquiescence and support of those crimes against humanity by the elected British Government is the real story.

“Solidarity with all artists with the moral courage to speak out against Israeli war crimes, and the ongoing persecution and slaughter of the Palestinian people.”

Instagram accounts belonging to other acts, including Mercury Prize nominees Yard Act, have commented on post featuring the statement, asking to be added.

Elsewhere, trip hop collective Massive Attack put out their own statement supporting Kneecap.

It comes as the Metropolitan Police is assessing the “kill MPs” video clip, along with the 2024 video in which a band member appeared to say “up Hamas, up Hezbollah”.

In a statement posted on Instagram, the group – made up of Liam Og O Hannaidh, Naoise O Caireallain and JJ O Dochartaigh – addressed the families of murdered MPs Sir David Amess and Jo Cox, saying: “We never intended to cause you hurt.”

Read more:
Why are Kneecap controversial?
Kneecap remarks ‘dangerous’ says Sir David Amess’s daughter

Kneecap said they “reject any suggestion that we would seek to incite violence against any MP or individual”.

“Kneecap’s message has always been – and remains – one of love, inclusion, and hope,” the post added.

A former TV production assistant has told a court she felt “the unthinkable was happening” during an alleged assault by Harvey Weinstein.

Warning: This article contains references to sexual assault

Miriam Haley is the first of the former movie mogul’s accusers to testify at his retrial, which is taking place as New York’s highest court overturned Weinstein’s 2020 conviction.

The former studio boss, 73, has pleaded not guilty to one charge of rape and two of forcing oral sex. He denies sexually assaulting anyone.

Ms Haley, who also goes by the name Mimi Haleyi, today told the court Weinstein held her down and forced oral sex on her after she told him: “No, no – it’s not going to happen.”

She dabbed her eyes as she recalled in court what went through her mind during the alleged July 2006 assault.

“The unthinkable was happening, I just thought any unthinkable thing could happen,” she said. “I just didn’t know where it ended.”

Weinstein, sitting between his lawyers, shook his head as she spoke.

Ms Haley also testified at Weinstein’s initial trial.

She began her testimony yesterday by describing how she got to know Weinstein, saying she had some inappropriate and suggestive interactions with him, while others were polite and professional.

Ms Haley maintains she was always looking to forge a professional connection – not sex or romance – with the Miramax founder.

Read more: What has happened to the #MeToo movement?

Weinstein’s lawyers are yet to question Ms Haley, but the defence has sought, often unsuccessfully, to object to prosecutors’ questions, such as whether Ms Haley had any sexual interest in the then-powerful producer. She said she did not.

The defence has argued that all of Weinstein’s accusers consented to sexual activities with him in the hopes of getting work in show business.

The 73-year-old’s retrial includes charges based on allegations from Haley and Jessica Mann, an actress who alleges Weinstein raped her in 2013.

For the first time, he is also being tried on an allegation of forcing oral sex on a former model, Kaja Sokola, in 2006.