Dua Lipa denies firing agent over campaign against pro-Palestine band Kneecap

Celebrated British pop star Dua Lipa has reportedly parted ways with her William Morris Endeavour (WME) agent David Levy, after it was claimed that he was involved in a campaign to remove the Irish rap trio Kneecap from the Glastonbury line-up over their pro-Palestine beliefs.  

According to The Mail on Sunday, Dua Lipa "made sure through her people that David Levy wasn’t working on her music anymore. She is very openly pro-Palestine, and that doesn’t align with David.” 

The source added: “She views him as being a supporter of Israel’s war in Gaza, and the terrible treatment of the Palestinians and that was made very clear through the letter that he signed and sent to Emily and Michael Eavis.” 

The letter referred to is a confidential email signed by Levy, which was sent to Glastonbury festival's organisers, and circulated to more than 30 people; any of whom could have been responsible for the leak.

UPDATE: Dua Lipa has denied The Mail's claims and added on Instagram: "I do not condone the actions of David Levy or other music executives toward an artist speaking their truth." Additionally, in a statement to Euronews Culture, Glastonbury organisers have "categorically denied that the letter was leaked by anyone at Glastonbury Festival."

The petition to have Kneecap removed was not successful, and the rappers performed at Glastonbury as scheduled. 

British police received complaints about the group's performance but, following an investigation, dropped the case, citing a lack of evidence of any criminal offense.

Dua Lipa has always been a supporter of the Palestinian cause, condemning the violence in Gaza and joining other artists in protests.

She previously joined the likes of Jessica Chastain, Michael Stipe, and Cate Blanchett in signing an open letter to then-US President Joe Biden, calling for a ceasefire and “an end to the bombing of Gaza and the safe release of hostages”. She has also called out the "Israeli genocide" and in May this year, was among hundreds of artists to call on British Prime Minister Keir Starmer to end UK arms sales to Israel. 

The open letter to the PM, led by refugee charity Choose Love, stated: “The world is watching and history will not forget. The children of Gaza cannot wait another minute. Prime Minister, what will you choose? Complicity in war crimes, or the courage to act?”

Dua Lipa remains with the talent agency WME and has not yet made any public statements on the split with her agent. However, Kneecap reposted a screenshot of the original Mail on Sunday article on their Instagram Stories. 

British trip-hop outfit Massive Attack has also stopped working with Levy over his stance on Gaza.

Last week, we reported that Massive Attack was the latest music act to pull their catalogue from Spotify in protest at founder Daniel Ek investing €600m in Helsing. The band also asked their label, UMG, to remove their music not just from Spotify but all streaming platforms in Israel.