Supporters and fans of Kneecap celebrated on Tuesday as the widely expected courtroom humiliation of the British government played out in front of journalists and TV cameras from around the world.

Bogus and repressive charges against Mo Chara, lead singer of the Irish rap band, were thrown out in London after a judge described them as “unlawful and null”.

Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, who performs under the name Mo Chara, had been facing charges under the ‘Terrorism Act’ for allegedly displaying a flag in support of Hezbollah at a concert in London in November 2024.

Kneecap have always denied inciting violence or supporting either Hezbollah or Hamas, but the band’s well‑known support for the Palestinian people has become a battleground for British repression and censorship of Israel’s genocide.

Mr Ó hAnnaidh, who is referred to by his anglicised name Liam O’Hanna in court documents, arrived at court with his bandmates wearing a Palestinian keffiyeh, a balaclava in the colours of the Irish tricolour and sunglasses.

During the short proceedings at Woolwich Crown Court, Chief Magistrate Paul Goldspring agreed with Mr Ó hAnnaidh’s defence that the proceedings had not been “instituted in the correct form” and threw the charge out.

Hundreds of Mr Ó hAnnaidh’s supporters, who had gathered outside the court, cheered as the decision was relayed to the crowd. Some waved Palestine and Irish flags, others held placards, before a makeshift gig got underway.

After walking out of the court he told supporters:

“This entire process was never about me. It was never about any threat to the public, it was never about terrorism – a word used by your government to discredit people you oppress.

“It was always about Gaza, about what happens if you dare to speak up.”

He added: “Your attempts to silence us have failed because we’re right and you’re wrong.

“We will not be silent. We said we would fight you in your court and we would win.

“Today, we have.

“If anyone on this planet is guilty of terrorism, it’s the British state.

“Free Palestine. Tiocfaidh Ár Lá.”

West Belfast MP Paul Maskey, who attended court on Friday, said the decision not to proceed with the trial was the right one. “Kneecap have bravely and unapologetically used their platform around the world to call out Israel’s genocide and the complicity of western governments,” the Sinn Féin man said.

“It is the Israeli war criminals and those who fund, support and enable genocide and forcibly starve women and children who should be before the courts, not Kneecap’s Mo Chara.

“The British political assault on Kneecap which led to this case has failed. Today, those on the right side of history have prevailed.”

Following the verdict, the Crown Prosecution Service appeared to have no grounds for appeal.

However, a little-known legal trick may be attempted to allow prosecutors to bring the celebrated rap band back to court.

According to The Daily Telegraph on Tuesday, Michael Ellis, a former British attorney general and Conservative MP, has urged the use of a rarely‑used writ that would allow the ordering of a new trial, called “venire de novo”.

But Kneecap’s manager, Daniel Lambert, said political policing had failed.

“Kneecap is on the right side of history. Britain is not. Free Palestine.”

He said he was not surprised the case was thrown out and that the group will not change “anything they do”.

And asked if he has a message for Keir Starmer, Mr Ó hAnnaidh said: “Better luck next time.”