Hours after the announcement that Kanye West would be banned from entering the UK, PM Keir Starmer released a statement on social media.
In a comprehensive defense of the Wireless Festival – which canceled the event after Ye was denied entry – he writes that the organizers should never have invited him in the first place.
“Kanye West should never have been invited to headline Wireless,” Starmer says, reiterating his government stance of staunchly protecting the British Jewish community.
“This government stands firmly with the Jewish community,” he wrote, “and serves as a warning to those who spread anti-Semitism.”
“We will not stop in our fight to confront and defeat the poison of anti-Semitism.”
The fiery statement further said that necessary action will be taken to protect the public welfare.
“We will always take action as necessary to protect the public and uphold our values,” Starmer writes.
The UK Prime Minister’s response comes after Wireless Festival announced that the London music festival, where West was scheduled to perform, has been postponed for 3 days.
In a bombshell statement, organizers revealed the reason for calling off the show: “The Home Office has withdrawn Ye’s ETA, refusing him entry to the United Kingdom. As a result, Wireless Festival is cancelled, and refunds will be issued to all ticket holders.”
Eyebrows were also raised over what the festival’s statement said: “A number of stakeholders were consulted prior to the booking of YE, and no concerns were highlighted at the time.”
“Anti-Semitism in all its forms is abhorrent, and we recognize the real and personal impact of these issues,” the festival’s stance was clearly explained.
However, the statement added, “As Ye said today, he recognizes that words alone are not enough, and despite this, he still hopes to have the opportunity to start a dialogue with the Jewish community in Britain.”
The Home Office decision and the cancellation by Wireless Festival came as a shock to West’s fans who had rushed to purchase pre-sale tickets, with tickets selling out within hours.
