BRITISH counterterrorism police are to spend time and resources assessing a video from Irish rap group Kneecap.

Video has emerged on social media of the band at a November 2023 gig, appearing to show a member of the group saying: “The only good Tory is a dead Tory. Kill your local MP.”

Earlier in the week, footage emerged of another gig last November which seemed to show a band member shouting “up Hamas, up Hezbollah” during a performance at the Kentish Town Forum.

Both Hamas and Hezbollah are banned in Britain and it is a crime to express support for them.

On Sunday, a Metropolitian Police spokesman said: “We were made aware of a video on April 22, believed to be from an event in November 2024, and it has been referred to the counterterrorism internet referral unit for assessment and to determine whether any further police investigation may be required.”

He also said the force were “assessing both to determine whether further police investigation is required.”

The counterterrorism internet referral unit is dedicated to identifying terrorist and extremist material online.

Police will carry out an investigation if the material breaches British law.

A British government spokesman said: “We unequivocally condemn threatening remarks made towards any individual.

“Political intimidation and abuse must have no place in our society. We recognise the chilling effect that harassment and intimidation of elected representatives can have on our democracy.

“All reports of intimidation, harassment and threats are taken extremely seriously. We work with the police and Parliament to do everything in our power to crack down on threats to elected officials.”

In a statement from the band on Friday, issued after their performance at the Coachella festival, where a huge crowd chanted in support of Palestine, Kneecap said they faced a co-ordinated smear campaign.

“For over a year, we have used our shows to call out the British and Irish governments’ complicity in war crimes.

“The recent attacks against us, largely emanating from the US, are based on deliberate distortions and falsehoods. We are taking action against several of these malicious efforts.

“Let us be absolutely clear. The reason Kneecap is being targeted is simple — we are telling the truth and our audience is growing.

“Those attacking us want to silence criticism of a mass slaughter. They weaponise false accusations of anti-semitism to distract, confuse and provide cover for genocide.

“We do not give a f*ck what religion anyone practices. We know there are massive numbers of Jewish people outraged by this genocide, just as we are. What we care about is that governments of the countries we perform in are enabling some of the most horrific crimes of our lifetimes — and we will not stay silent.

“No media spin will change this. Our only concern is the Palestinian people, the 20,000 murdered children and counting.

“The young people at our gigs see through the lies. They stand on the side of humanity and justice. And that gives us great hope.”