British counter-terror officers will investigate online videos showing rap trio Kneecap calling for the death of British MPs and shouting "up Hamas, up Hezbollah".
A video emerged of the west Belfast trio at a gig in November 2023 appearing to show a band member saying: "The only good Tory is a dead Tory. Kill your local MP."
Both Hamas and Hezbollah are banned in the UK and it is a crime to express support for them.
Kneecap are Mo Chara, Móglaí Bap and DJ Próvaí.
On Thursday, the Met Police said:
"On April 22, we were made aware of an online video believed to be from a music event in London in November 2024.
"Following this, we were made aware of a further video, believed to be from another music event in London in November 2023.
"Both videos were referred to the Counter Terrorism Internet Referral Unit for assessment by specialist officers, who have determined there are grounds for further investigation into potential offences linked to both videos.
"The investigation is now being carried out by officers from the Met's Counter Terrorism Command and inquiries remain ongoing at this time."
In a statement Kneecap said they rejected "any suggestion that we would seek to incite violence against any MP or individual. Ever."
They stated that "an extract of footage, deliberately taken out of all context, is now being exploited and weaponised, as if it were a call to action".
Referring to two MPs who have been murdered in the UK in recent years, the trio added: "To the Amess and Cox families, we send our heartfelt apologies, we never intended to cause you hurt."
Kneecap have suffered commercial consequences after displaying messages about the war in Gaza during their set at Coachella earlier this month.
They were dropped by their sponsor and booking agent IAG while the former X Factor judge Sharon Osbourne called for Kneecap's US work visas to be revoked.
Meanwhile its emerged that a number of artists have signed a joint statement in support of Kneecap.
Fontaines DC, Annie Mac, Bicep, Massive Attack, Pulp, Paul Weller and Christy Moore are among the artists who signed the open letter by Kneecap's record label, Heavenly Recordings.
The statement said there had been a "clear, concerted attempt to censor and ultimately deplatform" the band.
It accused Westminster and the UK media of being "openly engaged in a campaign to remove Kneecap from the public eye".
"As artists, we feel the need to register our opposition to any political repression of artistic freedom," the statement added.
"In a democracy, no political figures or political parties should have the right to dictate who does and does not play at music festivals or gigs that will be enjoyed by thousands of people."
