A senior Welsh Conservative has called on the Arts Council of Wales to suspend public funding to the Green Man Trust Ltd, the charitable organisation behind Wales’ largest music festival, over the booking of the Irish rap group Kneecap.

Gareth Davies MS, Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Culture, Tourism, Sport, and North Wales, wrote to the Arts Council’s chief executive this week, urging a temporary moratorium on further funding unless the festival distances itself from content seen as inciting violence.

The controversy centres on Kneecap, whose members have faced allegations of promoting violence. One member, Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh - who performs under the stage name Mo Chara - was charged recently with a terror-related offence linked to an incident during a 2024 performance in London. It is alleged he displayed a flag supporting the proscribed organisation Hezbollah during a performance at the O2 Forum in Kentish Town. The group has denied any wrongdoing, calling the charges politically motivated.

Mr Davies also highlighted further controversy following the circulation of footage from a 2023 gig which appeared to show a band member saying: “The only good Tory is a dead Tory. Kill your local MP.”

Kneecap have denied all allegations.

In his letter, Mr Davies pointed to financial records showing the Arts Council awarded £91,699 to the Green Man Trust in the 2023–24 financial year, part of more than £336,000 over the past five years.

“This is not a call for censorship but for responsible and proportionate allocation of public funds,” Mr Davies said.

“Public funding should be withheld until the organisers of Green Man demonstrate clear ethical standards and disassociate from performers who promote or glorify violence.”

The call for a funding freeze follows growing political pressure on Green Man, with the Welsh Conservatives urging the festival to drop Kneecap and raise concerns about the broader message the booking sends.

Green Man has previously been approached for comment on Kneecap’s inclusion and related calls for their removal but did not respond.

Kneecap were recently removed from Scotland’s TRNSMT festival after police raised safety concerns.

The group remains scheduled to perform at Glastonbury Festival, with their name appearing on the lineup for Saturday, June 28.

The Welsh Government told the Brecon & Radnor Express last month that any public funding for the Green Man Festival comes through arms-length bodies like the Arts Council and said the festival “should consider” whether Kneecap’s participation is appropriate.

Green Man Festival is scheduled to take place from August 14 to 17 at Glanusk Estate, near Crickhowell.

The Arts Council of Wales has been approached for comment.