Kneecap police investigation exposed as a political stunt as cops drop all of it

Avon and Somerset Police have decided not to continue their investigation into Kneecap’s performance at Glastonbury.

One element of the political policing intimidation attempt is over.

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

— KNEECAP (@KNEECAPCEOL) July 18, 2025

State intimidation of Kneecap

It is clear that opening the investigation was nothing more than a political stunt, aimed at inflicting intimidation.

The email stated:

RE: Your Clients: (1) Liam Og Hanna, (2) Naoise O’Caireallain and (3) James John O’Dochartaigh, commonly known
‘Kneecap’

I am Senior Investigating Officer for Avon and Somerset Police’s investigation into Kneecap’s performance at the Glastonbury Festival on 28th June 2025 [REDACTED}
Following a review of the evidence, I have determined there will be no further
action.
I would be grateful if you could communicate this to your clients, and/ or advise me of an alternative way of contacting them.
Thank you for your assistance in this matter.
Regards [REDACTED]
Detective Superintendent [REDACTED]

The police announced the investigation publicly, and with a huge show of force from the media. But now, they have decided to close the investigation in a private email chain to two people.

The disparity of not announcing that the investigation has been closed, vs the huge press announcing that it had started is awful. What are your thoughts @Kier_Starmer_PM @ShabanaMahmood?

— cd / (@cd_slash_x) July 18, 2025

Of course, you can quietly retract an accusation you put out at full volume.

Loudly accuse @KNEECAPCEOL, softly retract. pic.twitter.com/Lp0Rbu3HDo

— Aisha (@Aishalifett) July 18, 2025

“no evidence and no action” say Avon & Somerset Police [very quietly] https://t.co/wwxvyFOzwJ

— bat020 (@bat020) July 18, 2025

The establishment has forever operated through unfounded front page slander, followed only by, at best, back page retractions. https://t.co/aFEl2ixBIU

— atomless (@atomless) July 18, 2025

Where’s the public apology for reputational damage? Kneecap had gigs cancelled amid the media uproar. Manchester council have also been ‘in talks’ over dropping them from the Wythenshawe Park lineup in August.

Political intimidation: Publicly say you’re investigating someone knowing no crime occurred, then after the world sees you’ve been “investigated” send the target of harassment a private letter saying no crime took place & no action will be taken. Public damage is done. https://t.co/yoh7wiMrPm

— Aimee Sukol ☮🐾🌱🌎🍝📚🎨🍺 (@SukolVentures) July 18, 2025

The group were set to play at the TRNSMT festival in Glasgow this weekend. The festival pulled them from the lineup following concerns raised by the police. Despite that, they played a replacement show at Glasgow’s O2 Academy, which sold out in 80 seconds.

Similarly, Radar Festival pulled Bob Vylan from their lineup in Greater Manchester earlier in July. This was after they led “death to the IDF” chants during their Glastonbury set.

Of course, broadcasters can call for disabled people to be shot or starved, but a band calling for death to a genocidal army is somehow crossing a line?

Clearly, though, the government and police have already damaged both of their reputations.

Smear campaigns like this don’t require criminal proceedings or convictions to be wildly effective https://t.co/DduUKn2hrD

— Cian Ó Concubhair (@CianOConcubhair) July 18, 2025

Witch-hunt

The investigation was nothing more than a witch-hunt designed to unnerve anyone standing up for Palestine.

Good stuff, lads! The witch-hunt has been appalling! Shame on Starmer and his flunkies! https://t.co/SPobkGeEqo

— Jason Reid (@JasonReidUK) July 18, 2025

In a country where most sexual offences go unsolved, the government and police think a good use of their time is intimidating a pop-trio standing up for dead babies. If nothing else, that shows you the morals of the people both governing and policing us.

This is how the government want to use your tax money.

95% of burglaries are still unsolved but they’ll will always find more money for this.

Pathetic https://t.co/H8hvwJKY52

— Tom Dibb (@tomdibb123) July 18, 2025

Over and over again, the police have overstepped when it comes to shutting down protests against genocide. They are disguising their own police harassment as ‘anti-terror policing’.

The police, government and wider British establishment continue to try and silence artists like Kneecap who use their platform to challenge Israeli genocide and our country’s complicity.

But it won’t happen. They are on the right sight of history and humanity. https://t.co/U7SxM8AUI5

— Michael Sharpe (@ThinkSharpe) July 18, 2025

The police would charge anyone else for wasting their time.

The police should be charged with wasting police time. https://t.co/tPkrv6R2Mx

— Bostoniano Improprio (@ImproperBoston1) July 18, 2025

It should not take a band to set the standard for leadership by standing up against genocide. But here we are.

In the test of time. People will ask why did it take the likes of @KNEECAPCEOL and other music and arts acts to show political leadership calling out and standing up against genocide and where were the so called political world leaders? Beir bua a chairde 🇮🇪 https://t.co/xKrkP51GKE

— Mícheál Ó Dubhghaill 🇮🇪 (@irelandsaysyes) July 18, 2025

At least the police have now backed off. However, they had already done serious reputational damage to a band that has shown more morals than every police force in the country, and the government, put together.

Featured image via the Canary