Irish Republican Alleged Incitement

Debate between Caroline Nokes and Lisa Smart
Tuesday 29th April 2025

(1 week, 4 days ago)

Commons Chamber
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Caroline Nokes Portrait Madam Deputy Speaker (Caroline Nokes)
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I call the Liberal Democrat spokesperson.

Lisa Smart Portrait Lisa Smart (Hazel Grove) (LD)
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The remarks by members of the band are completely unacceptable, and it is right that they have apologised to the families of Sir David Amess and Jo Cox, but clearly those comments should never have been made in the first place. Incitement to violence against Members of Parliament cuts to the very heart of our democracy. The reality is that two MPs have been murdered in the last decade. It is absolutely right that the authorities are looking into other comments relating to encouraging support for proscribed terror organisations.

I want to look at what more the Government can do. What criteria does the Home Office apply when assessing whether artists or performers are promoting harmful or extremist rhetoric, particularly where there is a clear attempt to provoke public outrage? What assessment has the Minister made of the impact that comments like these may have on community cohesion?