In a statement on social media, Zoltan Kovacs said that the band members "repeatedly engage in anti-Semitic hate speech supporting terrorism and terrorist groups". The band was supposed to perform at the Sziget Festival, in Budapest, in August.

Kneecap have previously said they have never supported Hamas or Hezbollah. Kovacs also said: "Hungary has zero tolerance for antisemitism in any form. "Their planned performance posed a national security threat, and for this reason, the group has been formally banned from Hungary for three years. "If they enter, expulsion will follow under international norms."

Kneecap rapper Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, who is known as Mo Chara, appeared in court in June charged with a terror offence after allegedly displaying a flag in support of proscribed organisation Hezbollah at a London gig. Both Hamas and Hezbollah are banned in the UK and it is a crime to express support for them. He was released on unconditional bail and in a statement, posted on social media in May, Kneecap said: "We deny this 'offence' and will vehemently defend ourselves."

Avon and Somerset Police launched a criminal investigation into comments made on stage by the band after their performance at Glastonbury in June, but decided no further action would be taken. The question over whether Kneecap should even perform at Glastonbury drew comment over the weeks before the festival, with the prime minister stepping in to say he did not think it was "appropriate".

The band said they were axed from the TRNSMT music festival in Glasgow over police concerns about safety. Kneecap had faced weeks of controversy over their pro-Palestinian stance, with Sharon Osbourne calling for their US visas to be revoked over messages they displayed on stage at Coachella. (BBC/ Getty Images)