Kneecap launches defamation case against Liberal MP over entry ban video
Global News
The legal action comes after government documents revealed the Prime Minister’s Office and the Canada Border Services Agency were not 'involved' in Vince Gasparro's announcement.
The Irish hip-hop group Kneecap says it has begun legal action against Vince Gasparro, the Liberal parliamentary secretary who posted a video on social media announcing an apparent ban on the group entering Canada that their lawyer says caused “substantial” harm.
Lawyer Darragh Mackin told Global News that a defamation case is being pursued in Ireland against Gasparro, who Mackin said was served with a notice of claim over the weekend.
“Our clients have been subject to serious and unfounded assertions by way of a public video posted on a personal social media account which has caused substantial reputational harm,” Mackin said in a statement from Belfast human rights law firm Phoenix Law on Saturday.
“The statements made by Mr. Gasparro were wholly inaccurate and defamatory without any reason or justification. … Kneecap, just like every private citizen, are entitled to fairness and the protection of their good name and reputation. These proceedings have been initiated to vindicate those rights.”
The legal action comes days after government documents tabled in the House of Commons revealed the Prime Minister’s Office and the Canada Border Services Agency were not “involved” or “consulted” in Gasparro’s announcement — despite Gasparro saying in September the decision was taken “on the advice of our officials” and “on behalf of the Government of Canada.”
The government’s stated reasons for denying or delaying approval of the band members’ travel permits also appeared to contradict Gasparro’s public statement, in which he accused the group of “advocating for political violence” and “glorifying terrorist organizations.”
The documents said only one band member’s travel permit was cancelled “for omitting to disclose complete and accurate information on his application,” but that the cancellation “does not preclude him from applying again.”
“In September we said you made comments about us that were wholly untrue and deeply malicious. You did,” Kneecap said in a social media statement Friday. “It now transpires you also lied by telling the world you were acting on ‘behalf of the Government of Canada.’ This was another lie. You were not. Your own government has made this clear.
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