Police investigating Kneecap’s set at Glastonbury have said they will be taking no further action over comments made by the rap group on stage.
Avon and Somerset Police launched a criminal investigation into both the Irish language rappers and punk band Bob Vylan, following their performances at the Worthy Farm festival’s West Holts stage last month.
Officers assessed video evidence of the Kneecap performance, during which the west Belfast and Derry trio criticised Israel over its conflict in Gaza, and referred to an upcoming court appearance by member Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, AKA Mo Chara.
The rapper has been charged with a terror offence as a result of a separate investigation by London’s Metropolitan Police.
He is accused of displaying the flag of proscribed group Hezbollah at a London gig last year.
He denies the charge and is due to appear again at Westminster Magistrates Court next month.
Meanwhile, the Avon and Somerset probe over Glastonbury also examined footage of Bob Vylan after the English band’s lyricist Bobby Vylan led chants of “death to the IDF” during their set - referring to the Israel Defence Forces.
It is estimated over 58,000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza since Israel’s ground invasion began in October 2023.
Police determined further enquiries were required as both the Kneecap and Bob Vylan performances were recorded as a “public order incident”, and appointed a senior detective to lead the investigation.
On Friday, a spokesperson for Avon and Somerset Police said the investigation into Kneecap has been completed, but the probe into Bob Vylan’s set continues.
“Detectives sought advice from the Crown Prosecution Service during their enquiries and after that advice, we have made the decision to take no further action on the grounds there is insufficient evidence to provide a realistic prospect of conviction for any offence,” the spokesperson said.
“Kneecap was informed of that decision earlier today.
“Enquiries continue to be carried out in relation to separate comments made on stage during Bob Vylan’s performance.”
Last month it emerged that a separate Met investigation into alleged “kill your local MP” comments by Mo Chara during another Kneecap show in London in 2023 had concluded and no further action would be taken.
In a statement posted to social media following Friday’s confirmation the Avon and Somerset Police probe had concluded, Kneecap said “one element of the political policing intimidation attempt is over”.
One element of the political policing intimidation attempt is over.
— KNEECAP (@KNEECAPCEOL) July 18, 2025
We played a historic set at Glastonbury. Whole area closed an hour before due to crowds. A celebration of love and solidarity. A sea of good people at the world's most famous festival.
Shortly afterwards we… pic.twitter.com/S0BsMeOM83
“We played a historic set at Glastonbury. Whole area closed an hour before due to crowds. A celebration of love and solidarity. A sea of good people at the world’s most famous festival,” the statement read.
“Shortly afterwards we learn of an active police investigation. An investigation that followed after the Prime Minister himself said it “was not appropriate” we played Glastonbury.
“Walk off stage to the rapturous sounds of good people and into the creaking scheming sounds of the establishment.
“This ‘investigation’ was reported across the world’s media often with wildly misleading headlines. Every single person who saw our set knew no law was broken, not even close....yet the police saw fit to publicly announce they were opening an investigation.”
They added: “This is political. This is targetted. This is state intimidation. After the media damage is inflicted and seen by millions of eyes - you receive a private email to say there’s no evidence and no action - that is seen by two people only.
“There is no public apology, they don’t send this to media or post it on police accounts. We will continue to fight. We will continue to win.”
