A Powys County Councillor has called on the council to disclose any financial support it has given to the Green Man Festival – and to publicly distance itself from a controversial rap group due to perform at this year’s event.

Cllr Iain McIntosh (Reform UK), who represents Yscir with Honddu Isaf and Llanddew, has submitted formal questions to the Cabinet under the council’s ‘Questions at Any Time’ procedure. He is seeking clarity on any direct or indirect funding for the festival and is urging the authority to condemn the Irish rap group Kneecap.

It follows mounting political pressure over the band’s inclusion in the line-up, after member Liam Óg Ó Hannaidh was charged with a terror offence. He is accused of displaying a Hezbollah flag – a proscribed symbol in the UK – during a performance last year at the O2 Forum in Kentish Town.

Further controversy arose after footage circulated of a 2023 gig in which a band member appears to say: “The only good Tory is a dead Tory. Kill your local MP.”

Kneecap have denied all accusations and said the charges against Ó Hannaidh are politically motivated.

The Green Man Festival, held annually at the Glanusk Estate near Crickhowell, receives public funding through various bodies, including the Welsh Government-sponsored Arts Council of Wales. This is through its non-profit arm, the Green Man Trust, which also carries out year-round charitable and sustainability work.

So far, festival organisers have made no public statement about the decision to retain Kneecap in this year’s line-up.

Cllr McIntosh said taxpayers deserve transparency and accountability.

“It is completely unacceptable that a publicly backed festival is platforming a group whose member is facing terror-related charges and whose past comments appear to promote political violence,” he said.

“If Powys County Council has provided funding to the Green Man Festival, then residents have a right to know exactly how much, and for what purpose. Public money should never be used to support events that give a stage to individuals who glorify or incite harm.

“I’ve asked the council not only to clarify any financial links, but also to publicly condemn the actions of the group Kneecap, and to question why the festival organisers continue to ignore public concern by keeping this group in the line-up.

“We must draw a firm line: violent rhetoric has no place in our communities or at events supported by the taxpayer.”

In his formal submission, Cllr McIntosh asked four specific questions, including whether future support for the festival should be withheld unless the organisers “publicly distance themselves” from Kneecap and remove the group from future bills. He also referenced TRNSMT Festival in Glasgow, which recently dropped Kneecap from its line-up following safety concerns raised by Police Scotland.

The controversy was first reported last month, when the Welsh Conservatives urged Green Man to remove the group. More recently, Shadow Culture Minister Gareth Davies MS called on the Arts Council of Wales to suspend public funding to the Green Man Trust Ltd until the matter is resolved.

Powys County Council has 10 working days to respond under the Questions at Any Time process. The council has also been approached separately for comment.