A former SNP Justice Secretary has sparked outrage after defending a rap group which appeared to promote violence against MPs.

Kenny MacAskill, a former nationalist MP who is now leader of the Alba Party, said a member of Kneecap’s comments had been taken ‘out of context’ when he said: ‘The only good Tory is a dead Tory; kill your local MP’.

He also claimed the band are being targeted because they are outspoken on Israel’s action in Gaza and claimed that ‘you cannot compare the loss of two MPs to the tens of thousands, hundreds of thousands of people, who are dying in Gaza’.

Kneecap, a trio from Belfast, are also vocal supporters of Irish republicanism who in 2019 released a single entitled ‘Get Your Brits Out’.

Mr MacAskill’s comments were condemned as ‘jaw-droppingly terrible’ after the families of murdered MPs Sir David Amess and Jo Cox heavily criticised the remarks.

It comes as calls grow for organisers of the TRNSMT music festival to axe the band from the festival, which will take place on Glasgow Green from July 11-13.

First Minister John Swinney urged organisers DF Concerts to ‘consider’ if the controversial group should appear as they had ‘crossed a line’ and he believes it would now be ‘unacceptable’ for them to perform.

But Mr MacAskill told the BBC’s Scotcast job: ‘I think it’s a kneejerk reaction to Kneecap, I think it’s utterly pointless.

Former SNP justice secretary Kenny MacAskill, has leapt to the defence of controversial rap group Kneecap

‘The band have issued an apology for what was a throwaway remark some two years ago taken entirely out of context.’

He said the comment was made two years ago and the band has since been outspoken about Israel’s action in Gaza.

Mr MacAskill said: ‘People seem outraged about Kneecap having mentioned that throwaway line and yet Britain is facilitating genocide in Gaza, kids are dying by the score on a daily basis. 

‘I think I know where the real wrong is and the real wrong is what is being perpetrated by Israel, not a remark by the band Kneecap several years ago.’

He added: ‘As for being an MP, I was also an MSP and I’ve been through it as Justice Secretary. 

‘I do not feel threatened, I speak to MPs on a regular basis and I don’t think any of them feel threatened by that throwaway remark.

‘As an MP you are very well protected, Police Scotland do an outstanding job on behalf of you and I can’t see how any MP in Scotland would have any reason to believe they have been endangered by a remark that was made over two years ago which the band have apologised for and which in two years no one has even known that they made it.’

When pressed on the anger from the families of Sir David and Ms Cox, Mr MacAskill said: ‘You cannot compare the loss of two MPs to the thousands, tens of thousands, hundreds of thousands of people who are dying in Gaza, never mind the atrocities that are being also perpetrated by Israeli settlers in the West Bank.

Kneecap told an audience in 2023 ‘The only good Tory is a dead Tory. Kill your local MP’

‘So the boys have apologised, that was the right thing to do, they should be able to appear at TRNSMT. And if people don’t like the views they have on Israel then it is maybe about time they realised what was happening there.’

Scottish Conservative MSP for Glasgow Annie Wells said: ‘This is a jaw-droppingly terrible take from a former justice secretary.

‘This band’s comments were completely beyond the pale – particularly against the backdrop of two MPs having been murdered in recent years – so for Kenny MacAskill to brush them off as throwaway remarks defies belief.

‘Kneecap are not fit to appear at TRNSMT and any reasonable person can see that.’

The MP and MSP representing the TRNSMT site yesterday joined demands for a rethink.

John Grady and John Mason, whose seats include Glasgow Green, urged organisers DF Concerts to consider the band’s incendiary comments before letting them perform.

Mr Grady, the Labour MP for Glasgow East, told the Mail: ‘Kneecap’s alleged comments about Tory MPs were unacceptable. Violent language has no place in political debate. 

‘People are very concerned about political polarisation and the threats of violence against political representatives of all parties. Whilst their appearance is ultimately a decision for TRNSMT, the organisers should consider these important factors.’

Mr Mason, the Independent MSP for Glasgow Shettleston, added: ‘On the whole, I strongly support freedom of speech and those supporting Irish republicanism should certainly be allowed to do so.

‘However, when it comes to encouraging violence or stirring up hatred, that is going too far. ‘They should not be given a platform in Glasgow to engage in that kind of rhetoric.’