The UK government is reviewing whether Kanye West should be allowed to enter the UK after a planned appearance by the US rapper at a London festival prompted criticism over his prior antisemitic comments.
The star, now known as Ye, released a song called Heil Hitler and sold swastika T-shirts last year. He later apologized and blamed his bipolar disorder's episodes of manic behavior.
Brands have withdrawn their sponsorships of Wireless Festival, and critics are calling on its organizers to cancel his appearance and for his visa to be denied.
Ministers have the power to ban foreign nationals from the UK if their presence is not considered conducive to the public good. It is understood that ministers are considering West's permission to enter the UK. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer earlier called the prospect of him headlining the festival deeply concerning.
The rapper has already been refused entry to Australia, which canceled his visa after he released Heil Hitler last May.
The Conservative Party urged the government to refuse West a visa because allowing someone with his track record to headline a major public event sends entirely the wrong message. Shadow home secretary Chris Philp said West's past antisemitic actions were not a one-off lapse, but a pattern of behavior that has caused real offense and distress to Jewish communities. Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said West's past comments were completely unacceptable and absolutely disgusting and that the rapper should not appear at the festival.
Michael Weiger, chief executive of the Board of Deputies of British Jews, said the UK should refuse West entry. The Board of Deputies accused Wireless Festival and its managing director of profiteering from racism. Meanwhile, Stephen Silverman from the Campaign Against Antisemitism (CAA) called the booking astonishing.
West is due to headline all three nights of Wireless, which is expected to attract 50,000 people per day, in Finsbury Park from 10-12 July. A pre-sale is due to begin on Tuesday before tickets go on general sale on Wednesday.
However, the event hangs in the balance as several sponsors pulled their support, the latest being Rockstar Energy, which is owned by the same parent company as Pepsi, which pulled out on Sunday. Fellow drinks giant Diageo has removed its support as it stands, while PayPal will no longer allow its branding to be used on promotional material for the festival.
Also, the leader of Haringey Council, which manages the festival's Finsbury Park venue, expressed disappointment at the decision to book an artist whose comments clash with community values. The Mayor of London's office has previously refused West permission to perform at the London Stadium due to community concerns and reputational risk.
West has caused outrage for antisemitic and pro-Nazi comments in recent years, including suggesting death threats against Jewish people and selling swastika T-shirts. This January, he apologized in a Wall Street Journal advertisement, attributing his comments to untreated bipolar disorder and expressing regret for his actions.
