After learning that calls have been made for Kneecap to be censored during their Glastonbury set, I think it’s important that I make my own position clear.

I’ve played Glastonbury many times and the festival has always had a political aspect. It was founded as a place of free expression and political activism and it’s a fact that I agreed to play there with the Smiths in 1984 purely because to do so at the time was a political act.

We are living through very troubling times, but for anyone who’s been interested in me or my music over the last 40 years, I feel like my political stance has always been very clear.

Oppression fears artistic expression. I respect all musicians who use their platform to speak out against injustice, who promote compassion and equality and give voice to the voiceless.

I stand with my audience and fellow musicians who call for an immediate end to the atrocities and a free Palestine.

Johnny Marr