Irish rap trio has apologized to the families of two murdered MPs after a video emerged of one member allegedly said “The only good Tory is a dead Tory“.

In a statement posted on X, Belfast-based band Kneecap offered its “heartfelt apologies” to the family of Southend West MP Sir David Amess, who was stabbed to death at a constituency surgery in 2021, as well as to the family of Jo Cox who was murdered in 2016.

The band said they “never intended to cause you hurt” and “reject any suggestion that we would seek to incite violence against any MP or individual”.

They added that condemnation from Downing Street and Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch was an “effort to derail the real conversation” about Gaza.

Mrs Badenoch, who is the MP for Saffron Walden in Essex, called for the group to be prosecuted after a video emerged from a November 2023 gig, appearing to show a member saying: “The only good Tory is a dead Tory. Kill your local MP.”

Sir Keir Starmer’s official spokesman said the Prime Minister believes the comments were “completely unacceptable” and “condemns them in the strongest possible terms”.

Kneecap said a video extract had been deliberately taken out of context and was being “exploited and weaponised”.