The UK Prime Minister described the positions of Irish language rap trio Kneecap as intolerable during a visit to Belfast. Sir Keir Starmer made the comments after the High Court dismissed a Crown Prosecution Service appeal against the dropping of terror charges against band member Liam Og O hAnnaidh, who performs as Mo Chara.

O hAnnaidh faced charges for displaying a flag supporting the proscribed group Hezbollah at a gig in the O2 Forum, Kentish Town, north London, on November 21, 2024. Chief magistrate Paul Goldspring dismissed the case in September on grounds that proceedings were instituted unlawfully.

The CPS appealed the dismissal at the High Court following a hearing in January. O hAnnaidh opposed the appeal. On Wednesday, two High Court judges upheld the original decision and rejected the CPS challenge.

Goldspring had ruled that prosecutors required Attorney General permission to charge O hAnnaidh with a terror offence before notifying him on May 21. Permission came the next day, placing the charge outside the six-month limit for such proceedings.

Starmer stated that the CPS would examine the High Court judgment closely. He added that his views on what Kneecap represents were already public knowledge.

In a statement after the ruling, O hAnnaidh said the case related to support for Palestine rather than any public threat or terrorism. He indicated that he and Kneecap would continue to speak out.