Irish Republican Alleged Incitement

Baroness Altmann Excerpts

Wednesday 30th April 2025 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Smith of Basildon (Lab)]

My Lords, the noble Lord makes a very powerful point. Where issues have been reported, they are of course being investigated by the police. The issues on terrorism are also being looked at. He is right to bring that to the attention of the House.

[Baroness Altmann (Non-Afl)]

My Lords, is the Leader able to tell the House what has to be done to actually lose government funding in this type of situation? It seems to me that Kneecap are trying to play the country, or the system, given that they put in their public statement:

“Kneecap’s message has always been—and remains—one of love, inclusion, and hope”.


This cannot be supported. I hope that the Leader will consider seriously whether this group should lose their funding and, indeed, be banned.

[Baroness Smith of Basildon (Lab)]

I have already answered part of the noble Baroness’s question. On the words she quoted, saying something does not make it true. That is certainly the case here. Because of what happened when they were awarded funding before, we are reviewing the circumstances of that fund. It should never, ever be acceptable for a group such as this to be awarded funding by the Government.