RAPPERS Kneecap have won their discrimination case against the British government which came about after a Downing Street minister withdrew an arts grant because they "oppose" the United Kingdom.
Win at court for @KNEECAPCEOL
Our @darraghmackin acts pic.twitter.com/a5xRKl84DK
— Phoenix Law Belfast (@PhoenixLawHR) November 29, 2024
In February, the group revealed that their application for assistance from the Music Export Growth Scheme (MEGS) had been knocked back.
The Department of Business and Trade in London said that the trio had been refused funding because they are "people that oppose the United Kingdom".
The grant program – a partnership between the British government and industry – supports small to medium-sized music companies looking to grow their artists' profiles internationally.
The decision by the then Secretary of State for Business and Trade Kemi Badenoch was described by Kneecap’s barrister in a Belfast court as “unlawful and procedurally unfair”.
At Belfast High Court this morning Kneecap were awarded £14,250 – the same amount they were initially granted.
We’re at the “royal” courts of justice in Belfast here to steal some of the kings money (hopefully)🔥 pic.twitter.com/UFaWvgSkT3
— KNEECAP (@KNEECAPCEOL) November 29, 2024
In a statement, the band said Badenoch, who is now the leader of the Conservative Party, and her department had "tried to silence us and they have failed".
Kneecap say they will split the £14,250 grant between cross-community youth organisation R-City who work with young people from the Shankill and Ardoyne and Irish language group Glór na Móna in West Belfast.
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".
The spokesperson added: “This government’s priority is to try and reduce costs and help protect the taxpayer from further expense" adding that the music industry is "the heart and soul of the economy" and that the government is "committed to helping acts continue to thrive and break into new markets".
