Belfast-based rap group KNEECAP has apologized to the families of murdered MP Sir David Armis and Joe Cox.

The statement released on X was a scene of the band at a concert in November 2023, in which one of the band members seemed to say: "The only good Conservative party is the dead Conservative party. Kill your local councillor."

Counter-terrorism police and conservative leader Kemi Badenoch called for prosecution of the video.

A spokesman for Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said he did not believe that "individuals expressing these views should receive government funding".

Kneecap said in a statement that they rejected "any advice we will seek to commit violence against any member of Congress or individual."

They added: "The footage currently intentionally removed from all contexts is being exploited and weaponized, as if it were a call for action".

"We have a sincere apology to us for the family of Armanis and Cox, and we have never intended to cause harm," the trio added.

Labor MP Jo Cox was fatally shot and stabbed in June 2016.

Earlier, the daughter of conservative MP Sir David Armis, was stabbed to death in a constituency surgery in 2021.

Katie Amess said she was “shocked by the stupidity of someone or a group of people in the eyes of the public and said this dangerous, violent remark.”

A spokesman for Sir Kyle said the Prime Minister considered the comments "totally unacceptable" and that there would be no public funding for Kneecap.

KNEECAP has previously received government art funding. Last year, they won a case of discrimination against the British government after withdrawing the band’s art funding and received a reward of £14,250.

Metropolitan police said they were watching another video, starting last November, and the video appeared to show a band member shouting "Up Hamas, Up Hezbollah" at a show in London.

"Let's make it clear: We have not and have never supported Hamas or Hezbollah," the group said in a statement Monday.

"We have always condemned all attacks on civilians. It's forever. Given the history of our country, we know this more than anyone else."

Hamas and Hezbollah are both banned in the UK and showing support to them is a crime.

Doysach (Irish Prime Minister) Micháel Martin earlier called on the three to "urgently clarify" their comments.

DUP leader Gavin Robinson said Kneecap has become a "hatred move."

East Belfast MPs said the band’s position was “shocking and outrageous” and said London and Dublin had a collective political will to “convene” their comments.

Alliance MLA Sian Mulholland said Kneecap’s alleged comments crossed “the boundaries of art as a tool for protest and incitement.”

Scotland’s first minister, John Swinney, supported the call for Kneecap to be cut from the TRNSMT festival in Glasgow this summer, adding that the band’s so-called comments “cross a line” and “beyond the pale”.

Two MPs also called to ask the group to withdraw from the Glastonbury Festival lineup in June.

Labor MP David Taylor said in a letter to the festival’s co-creator Sir Michael Eavis that it would be “very disturbing” to see the band perform at the event.

North Antrim Congressman and Traditional Unionism Voice (TUV) Jim Allister said he had written to the organizers of the Glastonbury Festival asking them to let down Kenneckap.

TUV also wrote to the U.S. State Department “requesting that Kneecap disseminates its toxic ideology to the United States.”

"Forcing an apology does not undue its belief that it is acceptable to say such ignorance first," said Carla Lockhart, a member of the work-time MP and DUP politician, in an interview with the BBC Radio's Good Morning Ulster program.

Although she welcomes apology to the American family, Lockhart said: "I'm sorry because they were caught."

Lockhart said she wrote to the Department of Homeland Security and the Canadian Border Service on Monday to “scrutinize any entry application and take all necessary steps to prevent its planned travel from continuing.”

"The name of this group conveys the wrong message," she added.

“And any language that undermines values ​​or incites hatred should not be used or should not be tolerated in our society.

"Those words: 'Kill your MP', how do you get them out of context? You either say that or don't."

A BBC spokesman said: “As a broadcast partner, the BBC will bring extensive music coverage with Glastonbury audiences and will be booked by the artists for the festival organizers.

They added: “The Glastonbury broadcasting program will be considered in the coming weeks and all outputs will comply with our editorial guidelines.”

No member of KNEECAP has been charged with any crime.