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High Court Hears CPS Appeal Over Thrown-Out Terror Charge Against Kneecap Rapper

The appeal turns on whether DPP/AG consent had to exist before charging under the Terrorism Act.

Overview

  • The hearing is listed at the Royal Courts of Justice on Wednesday before Lord Justice Edis and Mr Justice Linden, due to start at 10:30am.
  • Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, known as Mo Chara, was accused of displaying a Hezbollah flag and saying "up Hamas, up Hezbollah" at a November 2024 London concert, an offence he denies.
  • Chief magistrate Paul Goldspring threw out the case in September, ruling the proceedings were unlawfully instituted without timely DPP and attorney general consent within the six‑month limit.
  • Prosecutors argue consent is only required by the first court appearance and not to bring a charge, while the defence says attorney general consent arrived a day after police notified the charge.
  • Kneecap has called for supporters to gather outside the court and previously criticised the appeal, as the band continues to face international fallout including a Canadian entry ban.