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Question
How long is this counter-terrorist police inquiry likely to take? The video plainly speaks for itself. How could the words “Kill your local MP” possibly have been taken out of context? Secondly, we now know that Kneecap applied for a £14,000 Government grant which was vetoed but later the Labour Government concluded fighting the appeal would be 'not in the public interest.' Can the Home Secretary tell the House which Government Minister approved this decision and why?
Minister reply
The length of the investigation is a matter for the Metropolitan police. Regarding the funding issue, the current situation was inherited from the previous government who did not take proper legal advice and ended up in a costly legal battle they lost. This government has a duty to protect taxpayers’ money.
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Question
Does the Home Secretary agree that it would be unconscionable for Kneecap to appear at Glastonbury while the police inquiry is under way? And will the Home Secretary now seriously reconsider their request to examine potential failures by Prevent that may have contributed to David's death?
Minister reply
The organisers of the festival decide who appears, but the Government urge them to think carefully. The Minister suggests the Home Secretary and he want to ensure every avenue is explored regarding Prevent reviews.
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Question
Does my hon. Friend agree that those in the public eye should be careful with their words, because words have power and can be incredibly dangerous? We should condemn with all force the type of incitement we have seen from this particular group.
Minister reply
The Minister agrees that words have consequences and everyone should treat others with respect. He joins in condemning the words used by Kneecap.
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Question
Will the Minister join me in condemning unreservedly the despicable evil that Kneecap represent in the appalling comments they made? Can he give assurance that this band will never receive public money again from any source, including the National Lottery and Northern Ireland Screen?
Minister reply
The Minister joins in condemning Kneecap's actions. Regarding funding, it is for future Governments to decide but the current one has ended support for legal challenges.
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Question
The MP expresses disappointment in how Conservative Members have approached the issue and calls for a united response. He asks if the Minister will look to minimize the number of mainstream platforms on which the band appears.
Minister reply
The Minister agreed with the sentiment that the comments made by the band go far beyond what is acceptable but refrained from naming the band to avoid giving them further publicity.
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Question
Asks about criteria for assessing whether artists or performers are promoting harmful rhetoric and inquires about the impact of such comments on community cohesion. She also asks what assessment has been made regarding this.
Minister reply
The Minister confirmed that through the defending democracy taskforce, they take these matters seriously and work closely with law enforcement to ensure a coherent response around the country.
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Question
Thanks the Speaker’s Office for support given to new MPs and asks if the Minister agrees that when considering MP security, one must also consider the safety of MPs’ staff.
Minister reply
The Minister agreed with the importance of ensuring that MPs' staff feel safe and secure in their work. He mentioned ongoing efforts through the Speaker’s Conference into these matters.
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Question
Agrees that incitement to violence against MPs is no more acceptable than against any other member of society, asking if artistic licence can be a defence in such cases.
Minister reply
The Minister agreed with the right hon. Gentleman on both counts.
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Question
Will the Minister meet my colleagues and me to ensure there is coherency on the application of laws to prevent the glorification of terrorism in Northern Ireland, where such matters have historically been overlooked?
Minister reply
The Minister expressed his willingness to meet DUP members quickly following their question. He had previously written to leaders of all Northern Ireland political parties offering a meeting.
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Question
Will the Minister join in condemning the appearance of the right hon. Member for Islington North in a photograph with the group and urge streaming platforms to remove their music until the police investigation is over?
Minister reply
The Minister agreed that words have consequences but avoided commenting on specific individuals not present, focusing instead on the importance of conducting politics responsibly.
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Question
Will the Minister work with me to engage Glastonbury festival organisers in finding an appropriate resolution concerning the group's scheduled performance, considering criteria for assessing harmful rhetoric?
Minister reply
The Minister expressed willingness to collaborate on this matter. He also mentioned that individuals expressing such views should not receive taxpayer funding and referenced a review of the music export growth scheme by the Secretary of State.
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Question
Does my hon. Friend agree that incitement to violence against MPs, particularly from under-represented groups, has a chilling effect on people's willingness to engage in politics?
Minister reply
The Minister agreed that the chilling effect of such rhetoric extends to young and older people considering public service. He emphasised the importance of ensuring people feel they can serve their constituents without unnecessary harassment or intimidation.
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Question
Will the Minister proactively ensure that no taxpayers' money goes to any organisation using language negatively affecting politics, given the vile rhetoric by this band?
Minister reply
The Minister acknowledged the importance of ensuring operational independence while agreeing with the need for urgency in reviewing funding matters related to groups promoting harmful rhetoric.
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Question
Does the Minister agree that there can never be any excuse for inciting violence against MPs or supporting proscribed terrorist groups, considering the threat such behavior poses to democracy?
Minister reply
The Minister confirmed agreement on the importance of preventing threats to MPs and maintaining democratic integrity.
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Question
Does the Minister agree that there is no context at all in which it would be acceptable to utter remarks such as those attributed to Kneecap? Does he hope, as I do, that the criminal justice system pursues them with the utmost rigour?
Minister reply
I certainly agree with the right hon. Gentleman. The words we have heard are completely unacceptable in any context and the criminal justice system must pursue them with the utmost rigor.
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Question
Can the Minister give a reassurance that the Government will do all in their power to look not just at what has been said in recent videos but at what Kneecap have said in the past? Will he also provide Belfast city council with advice regarding an upcoming event?
Minister reply
I can give the hon. Member those reassurances. The Government will consider all aspects of their past and present statements, and I am happy to offer guidance to Belfast city council concerning future events.
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Question
Is there any prospect of retrieving the public money that has been awarded to Kneecap?
Minister reply
The Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport is reviewing the funding scheme in question.
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Question
Will the Minister join me in lobbying US and Canadian authorities to refuse visa applications from Kneecap ahead of their North American tour?
Minister reply
I am happy to discuss this further with the hon. Member should she wish to do so.
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Question
If Kneecap remain on the bill at Glastonbury, will no Ministers attend the festival?
Minister reply
Let me reflect on that question and I am hopeful that the organisers of Glastonbury will reconsider their decision.
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Question
How are the Government ensuring that public funding mechanisms, such as the music export growth scheme, do not inadvertently support entities that propagate extremist rhetoric and incitement to violence?
Minister reply
The Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport is reviewing this scheme, and I am sure she will have more to say in the near future.
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Question
Will the Minister come back to the House after taking actions against Kneecap to update Members and the public on them?
Minister reply
I give him my personal assurance of the importance I attach to these matters, and I will do everything I can to ensure that people are not subject to harassment or intimidation.
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Question
Does the Minister agree that it is right and necessary to condemn incendiary language while ensuring freedom of speech across the political spectrum?
Minister reply
Yes, I agree. The Government will work with local authorities and devolved Assemblies to ensure that everyone can participate in elections safely.
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Question
Does the Minister agree that local government authorities should reconsider allowing groups such as Kneecap to use their property for concerts, and will he contact Belfast city council about this?
Minister reply
I am grateful for the point raised. I will reflect on it and correspond further with the hon. Member.
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Question
Is the Minister confident that existing frameworks prevent public funds from being used to platform individuals or groups who seek to stoke division?
Minister reply
All Departments have an absolute responsibility to ensure taxpayers’ money is spent wisely, and this Government will take a robust approach.
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Question
Will the Minister assure us that he will encourage the police to investigate this quickly, that the funding formula will no longer allow such groups to obtain funding, and that he will do his best to deny the group any further platform? I suspect that their panicked apology was more about getting visas for their lucrative tour in Canada and America than it was about being sorry for what they have done.
Minister reply
Incitement to violence is completely unacceptable and there is never an excuse for it. The right hon. Gentleman is absolutely right to mention the former Members of this House who lost their life serving their constituents and our country. I underline again the Government’s commitment and determination to ensure that all of us in this place, and all who serve in public life, can do so safely and securely. He spoke about the investigation. As I have said, that is on the way, but I take and understand his point about speed. He will understand that I have already responded to the point about funding. The Secretary of State will look at that—as will other Departments, I am sure.
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Question
On a point of order, Madam Deputy Speaker. My understanding, as a new MP, is that there is a long-standing convention by which a Member who intends to refer to another Member during proceedings—particularly in a critical or contentious manner—should inform that Member in advance. That courtesy gives the Member concerned the opportunity to be present and, if necessary, to respond. Earlier, reference was made to the right hon. Member for Islington North (Jeremy Corbyn) without prior notice. I seek your guidance on whether that is in keeping with the expected standards of conduct in the Chamber.