Kneecap accuse UK government of wasting over £1million on terror case with appeal decision to be given at later date

Kneecap have accused the UK government of wasting over £1million on Mo Chara’s terror case, with the appeal decision to be given at a later date.

The case against the Belfast rapper (real name Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh) was dropped last September due to a technicality relating to the way in which it was brought about. At the time, the Chief Magistrate told the court that the charge against him was “unlawful” and “null”.

READ MORE: Kneecap’s Mo Chara’s terror charge: the story so far, as supporters accuse government of hypocrisy

Yesterday (Wednesday January 14), fans gathered at London’s High Court for the Crown Prosecution Service’s (CPS) bid to overturn the ruling that led to the charge being thrown out in 2025.

Kneecap’s DJ Provai (real name JJ O’Dochartaigh) and the trio’s manager, Daniel Lambert, attended yesterday’s hearing. However, a decision on the CPS’ appeal is now set to be given at a later date (via the Irish Times).

“You have obviously given us a great deal to think about,” said Lord Justice Edis at the end of the hearing. “We will be reserving judgment.”

Kneecap subsequently shared a statement on social media, captioning the post: “The High Court has reserved their judgment, we stand by to await vindication and an end to this carnival of distraction.”

The message read: “Once again today was a distraction from the complicity of the British government in genocide.

“Today more Palestinians were murdered by Israel. More homes demolished and more children dead due to cold and lack of aid not permitted to enter by Israel. That is the ONLY thing about this whole witch-hunt worth talking about.”

They went on to call yesterday’s hearing “a waste of public time, and public money”, adding: “We now believe over a million pounds has been wasted. Tax payer money that could and should have been spent on improving the lives of ordinary people.”

“Instead it has been spent at the behest of politicians who are hellbent on silencing those who seek to stand in solidarity with those suffering a genocide. Politicians acting at the behest of lobby groups,” it added. “To our legal team you have our eternal thanks. To everyone who came to support us once again today and for those sending solidarity from across the world we are beyond grateful.”

Kneecap concluded: “Finally we must remember those brave young heroes on hunger strike in British jails. Support them in every way you can. Free Palestine. Free the Filton 24. Free the six counties.”

They recently highlighted their fears for a group of Palestine Action prisoners on hunger strike in the UK.

NME has contacted the Ministry Of Justice for comment.

READ MORE: Kneecap on the cover: giving peace, protest and partying a chance

The case levelled at Mo Chara stems from an alleged incident where he reportedly displayed a Hezbollah flag during a live show last November, and shouted “up Hamas, up Hezbollah”. Both are listed as proscribed terrorist organisations by the UK government.

The rapper maintains that he didn’t know what the flag was when he picked it up, and has claimed the comments were part of an in-character joke.

Kneecap have consistently denied supporting either Hamas or Hezbollah, and said they do not incite or condone violence. They have also argued that the footage at the UK shows had been taken out of context, and described the legal action as a “carnival of distraction”.

They announced earlier this month that the UK government intended to appeal the ruling, writing: “The British government has issued us notice that they will appeal the decision of their own magistrates court to throw out the case against Mo Chara. It is the view of our legal team that there is not an iota of logic for this, it is without any sound legal basis.”

They went on to say that they believe the ploy is a tactic to “distract from, and to try and silence those who stand on the right side of history”.

In other news, Kneecap have promised a “brand new album” as part of their “big plans” for 2026. “But nothing is more important than supporting each other and keep taking action for Palestine,” they wrote in the update.

Kneecap released their breakthrough album ‘Fine Art’ in 2024. “In a glowing five-star review, NME wrote: “In the dark of the night out, the moment is all that matters and the rave will set you free. To shout that in a ‘dying’ language on a record that couldn’t sound any more alive? That’s power – and Kneecap have it.”

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