Attorney General Cautions Tory MP on Kneecap Case Comments

The UK Attorney General has advised the Conservative Party’s shadow justice secretary, Robert Jenrick, to refrain from making public comments that could jeopardize future legal proceedings involving rapper Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, known by his stage name Mo Chara. This follows a ruling that dismissed terrorism charges against Ó hAnnaidh, who faced allegations related to the display of a flag supporting the proscribed terrorist group Hezbollah during a performance in London last November.

In a significant legal development, the case against the 27-year-old was thrown out last month due to a technical error. A judge found that the charge against Ó hAnnaidh was “unlawful” and determined that there was no jurisdiction to try the case. This ruling has sparked concerns regarding the handling of the charges, prompting calls for an inquiry into the matter.

The rapper was initially charged by post on May 21, 2025, but crucially, permission from the Attorney General or the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) was not sought prior to the charge. After a retrospective decision was made to obtain that permission, the Metropolitan Police re-issued the charge the next day. This procedural misstep meant that the charge fell outside the six-month window in which defendants are typically expected to be charged.

In a letter to Jenrick, Attorney General Richard Hermer expressed his concern regarding the potential implications of public comments made by senior politicians. He stated, “It is important for all senior politicians to ensure their public statements are supported by a basic understanding of the facts and the potential impact of their words on legal proceedings.” Hermer strongly urged Jenrick to consider any future comments carefully to avoid prejudicing the ongoing legal process.

The Crown Prosecution Service is still deliberating whether to appeal the chief magistrate’s decision. Hermer emphasized this point, noting that until a decision is made, any further public remarks could complicate matters. He suggested that it would be prudent for Jenrick to await the CPS’s decision on an appeal before conducting any review of the court case.

Regarding the timeline of the charge, Hermer stated that he had granted consent for the prosecution several hours after the CPS applied for it on May 22, 2025. He reiterated the operational independence of the CPS in its decision-making, underscoring the importance of keeping prosecutions free from political interference.

As this situation unfolds, it highlights the complex interplay between law and politics, particularly in high-profile cases involving public figures. The outcome of the CPS’s deliberations may not only affect Ó hAnnaidh’s future but also set a precedent for how similar cases are handled in the UK.

This case remains under close scrutiny, with the implications of the Attorney General’s advice likely to resonate through political and legal circles as the situation develops.