Wireless Festival has been cancelled after Kanye West was banned from entering the UK today.
Wireless Festival has been cancelled after Kanye West was banned from entering the UK today.
The Government blocked West following controversy over his planned headline sets at this summer’s Wireless Festival in London. As a result of the decision, the long-running event has been pulled with refunds going to all ticket-holders.
A statement from organisers said: “The Home Office has withdrawn YE’s ETA, denying him entry into the United Kingdom. As a result, Wireless Festival is cancelled and refunds will be issued to all ticket holders.
“As with every Wireless Festival, multiple stakeholders were consulted in advance of booking YE and no concerns were highlighted at the time.
“Antisemitism in all its forms is abhorrent, and we recognise the real and personal impact these issues have had. As YE said today, he acknowledges that words alone are not enough, and in spite of this still hopes to be given the opportunity to begin a conversation with the Jewish community in the UK.”
The US rapper made an application to travel to the UK yesterday via an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA), it is understood. But the Home Office turned down the 48-year-old’s permission to travel and he does not hold a valid ETA. The decision was made on the grounds that his presence in the UK would not be conducive to the public good.
A spokesman for Sir Keir Starmer said earlier: “Decisions are taken on a case-by-case basis in line with the law and the evidence available, but where individuals pose a threat to public safety or seek to spread extremism, the Government has not hesitated to act, and that includes cancelling permission to enter this country for extremist preachers and far-right figures.”
Earlier today, Ye, the rapper formerly known as Kanye West, offered to meet with the British Jewish community and said he wanted to bring ‘peace and love’ to London.
In an addition to his apology for previous antisemitic comments issued in the Wall Street Journal in January, Ye said: “I’ve been following the conversation around Wireless and want to address it directly. My only goal is to come to London and present a show of change, bringing unity, peace, and love through my music.
“I would be grateful for the opportunity to meet with members of the Jewish community in the UK in person, to listen. I know words aren’t enough – I’ll have to show change through my actions. If you’re open, I’m here.”
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