Murdered MP Jo Cox’s husband calls for ‘real apology’

The husband of murdered MP Jo Cox has known as on Kneecap to provide a “actual apology” after footage emerged of the band allegedly calling for MPs to be killed.

It comes after the band defended themselves and posted an apology to the households of murdered MPs Jo Cox and Sir David Amess in a statement posted on X on Monday evening.

The band stated that “an extract of footage, intentionally taken out of all context, is now being exploited and weaponised, as if it had been a name to motion”.

Brendan Cox, whose spouse was killed in June 2016, stated this was “solely half an apology”.

“It is wonderful to say that you just’re sorry for it, however the best way that they’ve really spoken about it’s to counsel that it is a conspiracy, that they’ve been focused unfairly and for me that then would not come throughout as sadly significantly real,” Mr Cox stated.

Of their assertion, Kneecap stated they rejected “any suggestion that we might search to incite violence towards any MP or particular person. Ever”.

“To the Amess and Cox households, we ship our heartfelt apologies, we by no means meant to trigger you harm,” the band added.

The footage of Kneecap is being assessed by counter-terrorism police and Conservative chief Kemi Badenoch has known as for prosecution.

On Monday, the daughter of Conservative MP Sir David Amess, who was stabbed to loss of life at a constituency surgical procedure in 2021, stated the rap group ought to apologise.

Talking on Radio Ulster’s Talkback programme, Mr Cox stated he could be glad to satisfy with the band “if that was a part of a real journey that they had been happening to consider how they will retain their radicalism whereas holding very, very clear strains concerning the unacceptability about political anti-democratic violence and violence that is directed at civilians”.

Mrs Cox, the previous Batley and Spen MP, was killed by far-right terrorist Thomas Mair on 16 June 2016, per week earlier than the EU referendum vote.

“The apology that they’ve given I do not suppose has grappled sufficient with the gravity of what they stated,” stated Mr Cox.

“While you lose somebody that near you, that by no means goes away and that each single day that’s a part of your life. It is the true sense that they’re lacking out.”

Mr Cox added: “It wasn’t a throw away comment. It was a part of a dialog that they had been having about politics, and it was a really clear incitement to violence.

“I doubt that they actually needed somebody to exit and kill a Tory MP, however if you happen to say these phrases… then the chance of somebody appearing on these phrases is there.”

Mr Cox stated the band wanted to “deeply mirror” on whether or not they need to be related to requires violence.

“I feel a extra fulsome reflection on the error that they’ve made, if it certainly is a mistake, I feel is important.”

Mr Cox added that “as a way to be assured” that the band is “genuinely remorseful” and never “simply attempting to avoid wasting their bookings or their tour, I feel they should grapple extra basically with it”.

Mr Cox stated “utilizing the plight of individuals in Gaza in the best way that they’ve accomplished and to say that that is an try to shut them up on these points will not be acceptable”.

“No matter your democratic politics, whether or not you are a Tory, Labour, Sinn Féin, Ulster Unionist, no matter, there isn’t a excuse for incitement of violence towards members of parliament or towards civilians, and that ought to be one thing that we are able to all agree on,” he added.

Of their assertion, Kneecap stated: “They need you to consider phrases are extra dangerous than genocide.”

They condemned “all assaults on civilians, all the time” and added that the band “don’t, and have by no means, supported Hamas or Hezbolla”.

Kneecap are an Irish-speaking rap trio who’ve courted controversy with their provocative lyrics and merchandise.

The group was fashioned in 2017 by three buddies who go by the stage names of Mo Chara, Móglaí Bap and DJ Próvaí.

Their rise to fame impressed a semi-fictionalised movie starring Oscar-nominated actor Michael Fassbender.

The movie received a British Academy of Film Award (Bafta) in February 2025.

Final week, Sharon Osbourne known as for the band’s US work visas to be revoked.

It got here after their performances at Coachella, an annual music pageant in California, the place they ended their set with pro-Palestinian messages.

Writing on social media, the TV character and America’s Obtained Expertise choose stated the hip-hop trio “took their efficiency to a distinct stage by incorporating aggressive political statements”.