Darragh Mackin of Phoenix Law acted for the group in the judicial review proceedings launched in the summer after a £14,250 grant awarded under the music export growth scheme (MEGS) was subsequently withdrawn by UK business secretary Kemi Badenoch.

A spokesperson for Ms Badenoch — now the leader of the opposition — said at the time that the government did not want to fund “people that oppose the United Kingdom itself”.

An order agreed in the High Court this morning said the decision was “unlawful, procedurally unfair, took into account immaterial considerations and failed to take into account relevant factors”.

The government will now make an ex gratia payment of £14,250 to Kneecap, which has said it will donate the money to Glór Na Móna in Ballymurphy and RCity Belfast on the Shankill Road.