British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said it was worrying that London’s Wireless Festival had booked West in the first place.
Published on 7 April 2026
The United Kingdom has barred United States rapper Kanye West from entering the country, citing his anti-Semitic comments and celebration of Nazism.
The rapper, now known as Ye, submitted an application on Monday to travel to Britain, which was booked for a summer festival. However, London has rejected the request on the grounds that their presence would not be conducive to the public well-being, the BBC reported, citing a Home Office statement released on Tuesday.
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Organizers of the Wireless Festival in London, at which West was booked to play in July, have canceled the entire event and said refunds would be issued to all ticket holders.
West had offered to meet members of the British Jewish community as the controversy erupted on Tuesday, saying his sole goal was to come to London and put on a show of change, “bringing unity, peace and love through music”.
He said, “I would be grateful for the opportunity to personally meet and hear from members of the Jewish community in Britain.” “I know words aren’t enough – I have to show change through my actions. If you’re open, I’m here.”
Event organizers were under increasing pressure from sponsors and politicians to cancel shows featuring the rapper, who had drawn widespread condemnation for making anti-Semitic remarks and expressing admiration for Adolf Hitler.
Last year, he released a song called “Heil Hitler” and advertised a swastika T-shirt for sale on his website.
West has performed in the US and Mexico City this year, but was banned from Australia last July.
He ran a full-page advertisement in the Wall Street Journal in January to apologize, blaming his behavior on untreated bipolar disorder.
But British government minister Wes Streeting told UK broadcasters on Tuesday that he considered it “appalling” for the West to use bipolar disorder “to justify its actions”.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said over the weekend that it was “deeply worrying” that West was booked despite “his previous anti-Semitic comments and celebration of Nazism.”
Phil Rosenberg, chairman of the Board of Deputies of British Jews, previously said the group would be willing to meet with West if he pulled out of Wireless.
The Campaign Against Antisemitism, which had called on the government to intervene, said it had “clearly made the right decision here”.
“Once again, when he said anti-Semitism had no place in Britain, he backed up his words with action,” it said in a statement.
West’s European comeback tour has already sparked controversy. In France, the mayor of Marseille said the rapper was “not welcome” for a concert in June.
