“How petty can political policing and interference get”- Kneecap Alleges London Tube blocked their ads

Kneecap has been in the news lately due to the controversy surrounding their pro-Palestine stance. One of the trio’s members, Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh (anglicised as Mo Chara), is also facing a terrorism charge. Now, the band has come forward to allege that the London Tube blocked their advertisements.

On July 10, 2025, the band posted a message on social media making their allegations, stating:

"We've been banned from advertising on the London Tube. How petty can political policing and interference get... After using the tube to advertise loads of times for gigs, records and our movie, all without issue."

The statement continues:

"The below poster has been rejected because: "it is likely to cause widespread or serious offence to reasonable members of the public on account of the product or service being advertised, the content or design of the advertisement, or by way of implication."

The band then goes on to state:

"Speak out against genocide and they'll use every single angle they can to silence you. Join the IOF, murder kids, fly to London and nothing happens - you'll be welcomed and applauded.

The London Tube or other relevant authorities have not responded to this allegation as of the writing of this article.

Kneecap's performance at Glastonbury was not broadcasted by BBC

Kneecap recently performed at the Glastonbury Festival on June 28, 2025, at the West Holts Stage. The band’s performance was not broadcast by the BBC. This move followed petitioning from politicians such as Labour MP David Taylor and Scottish First Minister John Swinney, as well as organisations such as the Jo Cox Foundation, against the inclusion of Kneecap at the festival.

However, a patron at the Glastonbury Festival, Helen Wilson, live-streamed the entire performance from her phone, including using a power bank to keep it charged.

Dubbed “Helen from Wales,” Wilson was hailed by fans as a free speech legend and praised by the band themselves, while also being criticised and trolled by others.

Kneecap has been at the forefront of the music scene, protesting for the relief of people in Gaza. They have also spoken out against the Israeli military operations in the ruined city, which many international organisations, including the UN, have alleged to be a genocide.

The band made their position clear regarding the controversies and charges generated by their stance on the Palestine situation in an Instagram post on April 29, 2025. The post was made in response to the backlash surrounding some of their festival chants:

"Instead of defending innocent people or the principles of international law, the powerful in Britain have abetted slaughter and famine.This is where real anger and outrage should be directed towards...The real crimes are not in our performances; the real crimes are the silence and complicity of those in power. Shame on Them."

Kneecap has previously faced legal issues with British Authorities

Even before their recent statements regarding the Israel–Palestine crisis, Kneecap had faced legal issues with British authorities. The band consists of Irish members and hails from Northern Ireland. They support the cause of Irish Republicanism — i.e., the reunification of Northern Ireland with the Republic of Ireland.

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This led the British government’s Department for Business and Trade to prevent the band from receiving funds under the Music Export Growth Scheme they were included in, in 2023.

The band sued the British government in response and successfully made their case. The Royal Courts of Justice in Belfast, Northern Ireland, held that the government had discriminated against the band.

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