Belfast-based rap group Kneecap has triumphed in its discrimination case against the UK government, following the withdrawal of an arts grant by the then Secretary of State for Business and Trade, Kemi Badenoch.
The ruling, which saw the group awarded £14,250 — the same amount originally granted — was hailed as a victory for free expression.
Kneecap’s barrister argued in court that the decision to revoke the funding was ” unlawful and procedurally unfair.”
In a statement, the band expressed their relief and defiance, saying that Badenoch, now leader of the Conservative Party, and her department “tried to silence us and they have failed.”
A spokesperson for the department said the decision was made not to continue contesting the band’s challenge as “we do not believe it is in the public interest”.
They explained, “This government’s priority is to try and reduce costs and help protect the taxpayer from further expense.”
Despite the setback, the department underscored its commitment to supporting the UK music industry, describing it as “the heart and soul of the economy.”
They also reiterated their dedication to helping artists thrive and break into new markets.
Kneecap first applied for the grant in December 2023, a fund designed to support UK-registered artists in global markets.
The band, known for their politically charged lyrics and controversial outlook, were initially successful in their application. However, their funding was blocked following an intervention by the Department for Business and Trade.
At the time, a spokesperson for then-Business Secretary Badenoch argued that the grant should not be awarded to those who “oppose the United Kingdom itself,” a comment that led to criticism from the band.
DJ Próvaí, a member of Kneecap, labelled the funding refusal as “an attack on artistic culture, an attack on the Good Friday Agreement and an attack on us and our way of expressing ourselves.”
This legal victory comes as a significant moment for the band, reinforcing their stance on artistic freedom and political expression.
