The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has announced its intention to appeal a recent ruling that dismissed terror charges against rapper O hAnnaidh, known by his stage name Mo Chara. The CPS stated in a brief announcement that it believes “there is an important point of law which needs to be clarified” regarding the case.
During the hearing at Woolwich Crown Court on September 26, 2023, Chief Magistrate Paul Goldspring ruled that the decision to charge O hAnnaidh was “unlawful.” The magistrate agreed with the rapper’s legal team that prosecutors should have sought permission from the UK attorney general before proceeding with the charges. This permission was only sought after informing O hAnnaidh on May 21, 2023, that he would face a terror offence, which the CPS contends was not necessary until his first court hearing a month later.
In response to the dismissal, O hAnnaidh expressed his determination to continue speaking out. He stated, “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.”
The case has prompted wider political discussions, particularly following a letter from shadow justice secretary Robert Jenrick to Attorney General Lord Hermer. Jenrick has called for an urgent inquiry into the situation, arguing that it “raised serious questions about the competence of all those involved.” In a statement, Lord Hermer cautioned Jenrick to “carefully consider any further public comments” that might prejudice future proceedings against O hAnnaidh.
The controversy stems from allegations that O hAnnaidh was recorded at a performance at the O2 Forum in Kentish Town, north London, displaying the flag of Hezbollah while calling out “up Hamas, up Hezbollah.” These actions have led to heightened scrutiny and debate around free speech and the implications of such charges.
Following the hearing last month, O hAnnaidh remained defiant, telling Virgin Media News that he felt confident about the case, asserting, “Even if it had gone to court, we would have won anyway.” The CPS’s decision to appeal indicates that the legal battle over these charges is far from over, raising significant questions about the intersection of law, free expression, and political discourse in the UK.
