A funding award of £15,000 to the band was blocked by former Business Secretary Kemi Badenoch.
Belfast rap group Kneecap has won its discrimination case against the UK government over a decision by then minister Kemi Badenoch to withdraw an arts grant. The decision, taken when the now Conservative leader was business and trade minister, was described in court by Kneecap's barrister as "unlawful and procedurally unfair". The group was awarded £14,250 - the same amount they were initially granted. In a statement, the band said Badenoch and her department had "tried to silence us and they have failed". The band said it would split the £14,250 equally between two youth organisations who work with Protestant and Catholic communities in Northern Ireland "to create a better future for our young people". 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 added: “This government’s priority is to try to reduce costs and help protect the taxpayer from further expense." Kneecap originally applied for a grant allocated to support UK-registered artists in global markets in December 2023. The group, who have faced controversy for their lyrics and political outlook, were successful in their application, but were subsequently blocked from receiving the funding after an intervention by the Department for Business and Trade. At the time, then-UK Business Secretary Kemi Badenoch's spokesperson said they did not want to hand taxpayers' money "to people that oppose the United Kingdom itself". The band's music and marketing heavily features themes relating to Irish republicanism and opposition to British rule in Northern Ireland.
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Fuck you, Badenoch!
