Husband of murdered MP calls on Kneecap to present ‘actual apology’

The husband of murdered MP Jo Cox has referred to as on Kneecap to present a “actual apology” after footage emerged of the band allegedly calling for MPs to be killed.

It comes after the band defended themselves and posted an apology to the households of murdered MPs in a assertion posted on X on Monday night time.

The band stated that “an extract of footage, intentionally taken out of all context, is now being exploited and weaponised, as if it have been a name to motion”.

Brendan Cox, whose spouse was killed in June 2016, stated this was “solely half an apology”.

“It is nice to say that you just’re sorry for it, however the best way that they’ve really spoken about it’s to counsel that it is a conspiracy, that they’ve been focused unfairly and for me that then does not come throughout as sadly notably real,” Mr Cox stated.

Of their assertion, Kneecap stated they rejected “any suggestion that we might search to incite violence in opposition to any MP or particular person. Ever”.

The footage of Kneecap is being assessed by counter-terrorism police and Conservative chief Kemi Badenoch has referred to as for prosecution.

On Monday, the daughter of Conservative MP Sir David Amess, who was stabbed to demise at a constituency surgical procedure in 2021, stated the rap group ought to apologise.

On X, the band stated: “To the Amess and Cox households, we ship our heartfelt apologies, we by no means meant to trigger you harm.”

Talking on Radio Ulster’s Talkback programme, Mr Cox stated he’d be comfortable to satisfy with the band “if that was a part of a real journey that they have been happening to consider how they will retain their radicalism whereas preserving very, very clear traces in regards to the unacceptability about political anti-democratic violence and violence that is directed at civilians”.

Ms Cox, the previous Batley and Spen MP was killed by far-right terrorist Thomas Mair on 16 June 2016, per week earlier than the EU referendum vote.

“The apology that they’ve given I do not assume has grappled sufficient with the gravity of what they stated,” added Mr Cox.

“While you lose somebody that near you, that by no means goes away and that each single day that’s a part of your life. It is the true sense that they’re lacking out.”

Mr Cox stated: “It wasn’t a throw away comment. It was a part of a dialog that they have been having about politics, and it was a really clear incitement to violence.”

“I doubt that they actually wished somebody to exit and kill a Tory MP, however should you say these phrases… then the chance of somebody performing on these phrases is there.”

Mr Cox stated the band wanted to “deeply mirror” on whether or not they wish to be related to requires violence.

“I feel a extra fulsome reflection on the error that they’ve made, if it certainly is a mistake, I feel is critical.”

Mr Cox added that “in an effort to be assured” that the band is “genuinely remorseful” and never “simply making an attempt to avoid wasting their bookings or their tour, I feel they should grapple extra basically with it”.

Of their assertion, Kneecap additionally stated: “They need you to imagine phrases are extra dangerous than genocide.”

Mr Cox stated “utilizing the plight of individuals in Gaza in the best way that they’ve executed and to say that that is an try to shut them up on these points is just not acceptable”.

“No matter your democratic politics, whether or not you are a Tory, Labour, Sinn Féin, Ulster Unionist, no matter, there is no such thing as a excuse to incitement of violence in opposition to members of parliament or in opposition to civilians, and that must be one thing that we will all agree on,” he added.

Kneecap are an Irish-speaking rap trio who’ve courted controversy with their provocative lyrics and merchandise.

The group was shaped in 2017 by three mates who go by the stage names of Mo Chara, Móglaí Bap and DJ Próvaí.

Their rise to fame impressed a semi-fictionalised movie starring Oscar-nominated actor Michael Fassbender.

The movie received a British Academy of Movie Award (Bafta) in February 2025.

Final week, Sharon Osbourne referred to as for the band’s US work visas to be revoked.

It got here after their performances at Coachella, an annual music competition in California, the place they ended their set with pro-Palestinian messages.

Writing on social media, the TV character and America’s Acquired Expertise choose stated the hip-hop trio “took their efficiency to a unique degree by incorporating aggressive political statements”.

In its assertion on X, Kneecap stated: “We don’t, and have by no means, supported Hamas or Hezbollah.”