Kneecap to take legal action after Westminster blocks art grant

It has been today revealed that hip hop rap trio Kneecap have sought legal representation after the group had been denied a grant that was previously approved.

The funding, an award under the Music Export Growth Scheme (MEGS) to support the expansion of bands in global markets, had been signed off on by the BPI’s independent selection board.

The decision sparked a controversy and debate  around freedom of artistic expression and arts funding.

A British government spokesperson said it was “hardly surprising” it had stopped the award given the group’s political opposition to the United Kingdom.

However the group maintain that since they pay taxes to the West Minster Government that they were eligible for the funding.

The band said: "it should be remembered that we must pay taxes to the Tory government even though we oppose their presence in Ireland".

Kneecap went on to say that: "Removing artists from funding due to their political beliefs.....classic coloniser stuff"

It should be remembered that we must pay taxes to the tory government even though we oppose their presence in Ireland.

Removing artists from funding due to their political beliefs.....classic coloniser stuff https://t.co/jRxAK630N4

— KNEECAP (@KNEECAPCEOL) February 8, 2024

It has since been confirmed that the group will take legal action against the Secretary of State for Business and Trade (a position currently held by Tory MP Kemi Badenoch) after Phoenix Law firm Belfast posted on X.

The UK Business Secretary Kemi Badenoch's spokesperson said they did not want to hand taxpayers' money "to people that oppose the United Kingdom itself".

A spokesperson Badenoch, said: “We fully support freedom of speech, but it’s hardly surprising that we don’t want to hand out UK taxpayers’ money to people that oppose the United Kingdom itself.”

While Kneecap claim they were told that their 2019 tour entitled "Farewell to the Union" had angered the Conservatives

The BPI has expressed its “disappointment” at the decision.

BPI represents the UK recorded music industry, organises the BRIT Awards, the Mercury Prize, and co-owns the UK Official Charts.

Under latest BPI Music Export Growth Scheme, 67 artists were awarded funding totalling £1.6 million, the largest annual amount of funding since the scheme launched a decade ago.

Individual artists could receive sums of up to £50,000 under the scheme. Kneecap were approved for £15,000 to cover costs of their North American tour.

The decision has been criticised by the SDLP leader Colum Eastwood, who said it could be a breach of the government's obligations under the Good Friday Agreement.

Speaking on Twitter he said that "Art should be challenging and no one should be subject to discrimination on the basis of Irish Unity".

I’ve submitted Parliamentary Questions about the decision to defund artists in the North on the basis of their constitutional aspirations.

Art should be challenging and no one should be subject to discrimination on the basis that they support Irish Unity.https://t.co/VkYVK0cene

— Colum Eastwood (@columeastwood) February 9, 2024