News : Kneecap accuse police of 'state intimidation' after they drop investigation into Glastonbury set

Kneecap have claimed they are the victims of "state intimidation" after the police closed an investigation into their performance at Glastonbury festival.

Avon and Somerset Police launched a criminal investigation into the Irish-language rap trio's performance last month after they led the crowds in several chants of "free Palestine" and "f**k (British Prime Minister) Keir Starmer".

However, a representative for the police force announced on Friday that they will not be taking further action against Kneecap because there was "insufficient evidence to provide a realistic prospect of conviction for any offence".

The musicians, who were informed of the decision earlier on Friday, posted a redacted email from the police on Instagram and declared that "one element of the political policing intimidation attempt is over".

"Every single person who saw our set knew no law was broken, not even close....yet the police saw fit to publicly announce they were opening an investigation," they wrote. "Why open and publicise an investigation into f**k all? This is political. This is targetted. This is state intimidation."

They signed off their post, "We will continue to fight. We will continue to win."

The decision comes amid a tricky legal time for Kneecap as one of their members, Mo Chara, is currently facing a terrorism charge. The rapper, real name Liam &Ocute;g &Ocute; hAnnaidh, is accused of displaying a flag in support of Hezbollah, a proscribed organisation, and chanting "Up Hamas, up Hezbollah" at a gig in north London on 21 November last year.

While the investigation into Kneecap is closed, the police probe into Bob Vylan's Glastonbury performance is still ongoing.