In a surprising turn of events, a pop group’s school tour from 2016 is now linked to a covert government operation. Mr Meanor, a boyband, embarked on a series of performances across northern England, seemingly to promote a message of peace and anti-violence.
But the story runs deeper than a simple music tour. Reports suggest the entire initiative was orchestrated by figures within the Home Office, aiming to combat radicalisation within Muslim communities.
The effort was supported by The Tim Parry Johnathan Ball Foundation for Peace, a charity born from the tragic 1993 IRA bombing that claimed the lives of two young boys. The foundation’s involvement provided a seemingly legitimate front for the operation.
Evidence points to the Home Office’s Research, Information and Communications Unit (RICU) as the driving force. This unit, described as a “shadowy propaganda unit” in a previous investigation, had a history of creating online content to counter extremist narratives.
Breakthrough Media, a communications company with ties to RICU, played a key role in the campaign. LinkedIn posts from former contractors and their involvement confirm a direct connection to the government’s counter-radicalisation program, Prevent.
Mr Meanor, comprised of Marcel Wildy, Jordan Hyams, and Jake Kirby, toured schools in cities like Bradford, Burnley, Manchester, and Huddersfield in the autumn of 2016. Photographs show the band enthusiastically posing with students.
Central to the campaign was the band’s single, “Think About It,” which explicitly addressed the consequences of terrorism. Lyrics referenced 9/11 and the 7/7 London bombings, urging listeners to challenge violence and hatred.
The music video’s description stated the song’s intention was to “inspire people to challenge those who push violence and hatred in today’s society.” Proceeds from the single were directed to the Foundation for Peace, though the song failed to chart in the UK top 100.
Crucially, there’s no indication the band members themselves were aware of the government’s hidden hand in funding and organizing the tour. They believed they were simply performing and promoting a positive message.
Amber Rudd served as Home Secretary during the time of the tour, overseeing the department that allegedly authorized the covert operation. The full extent of her knowledge remains unclear.
The Home Office has since stated that the campaign has been discontinued under the current administration. The revelation raises questions about the ethics and transparency of government efforts to counter extremism.
The Instagram page for Mr Meanor has remained largely inactive for nearly a decade, with its last post being a show of solidarity during the George Floyd protests in 2020. The band’s story now carries a weight far beyond its initial musical aspirations.
