The British government is coming under pressure to reverse its decision to deny a Belfast rap band funding due to its political views.
Irish language rappers Kneecap have launched legal proceedings against the British government after their application for funding from a music promotion scheme was blocked because they are Irish republicans.
The group’s application for assistance from the Music Export Growth Scheme (MEGS) was knocked back last week.
Business and Trade Secretary Kemi Badenoch announced £1.6 million in MEGS funding to boost 67 artists from across the UK and support homegrown musical talent.
Kneecap say that despite their application being approved by the selection board, it was subsequently blocked by the British government. A spokesperson for the Department of Business and Trade told the Andersonstown News that the trio had been refused funding because they are "people that oppose the United Kingdom."
Phoenix Law said they have been instructed by Kneecap to begin legal proceedings against the decision stating that Badenoch's decision is "unlawful."
SDLP leader Colum Eastwood has submitted a Parliamentary Question about the decision to "defund artists in the North on the basis of their constitutional aspirations."
"Art should be challenging and no one should be subject to discrimination on the basis that they support Irish Unity," he added.
West Belfast MP Paul Maskey has written to the British government’s Secretary of State for Business and Trade to express his concern.
“This decision is blatant political interference and needs to be reversed immediately,” Maskey said.
