Keir Starmer ‘concerned’ over Kanye West UK festival dates
Keir Starmer ‘concerned’ over Kanye West UK festival dates
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has voiced alarm over Kanye West’s inclusion as the headliner for the Wireless Festival in London this summer. The rapper, now known as Ye, has faced broad scrutiny for remarks deemed antisemitic, which he acknowledged in January. Starmer, in remarks first shared by the Sun on Sunday, noted that West was selected “despite his previous antisemitic remarks and celebration of Nazism.”
Pepsi Withdraws Sponsorship
The festival’s primary sponsor, Pepsi, has confirmed it is pulling its support from the three-day event. Starmer emphasized that “antisemitism in any form is abhorrent and must be confronted firmly wherever it appears,” adding that “everyone has a responsibility to ensure Britain is a place where Jewish people feel safe.”
West’s Controversial History
Kanye West, 48, was announced as the featured artist for all three days of the rap and R&B festival in north London earlier this week. His recent actions include declaring himself a Nazi and selling T-shirts with swastikas, following an earlier apology for antisemitic comments. Last year, he was barred from Australia after releasing a track titled “Heil Hitler,” which praised the Nazi leader.
“Antisemitism in any form is abhorrent and must be confronted firmly wherever it appears,” Sir Keir said.
West’s X account faced multiple bans in 2022 due to posts violating platform guidelines, such as an image blending a swastika with the Star of David and a claim about targeting Jewish people with “death con 3.” In the same year, he drew criticism for wearing a “white lives matter” T-shirt during Paris fashion week, leading to Adidas ending their collaboration with him.
Apologies and Clarifications
In November 2025, West met with Rabbi Yoshiyahu Yosef Pinto, where he reportedly expressed regret for past antisemitic comments. He also placed a full-page ad in the Wall Street Journal in January, stating, “I am not a Nazi or an antisemite.” West attributed his remarks to bipolar disorder, explaining that “when you’re manic, you don’t think you’re sick” and that he “lost touch with reality.”
The Board of Deputies of British Jews, the largest Jewish representation group in the UK, urged BBC Newsnight to block West’s entry into the country. London Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan’s spokesperson noted that the festival organizers, Festival Republic, made the decision to book West, adding that City Hall is not involved. As of Sunday lunchtime, the festival’s website still listed Pepsi MAX as a partner, describing their collaboration as “a long-standing partnership.”
West has not performed in the UK since 2015, when he headlined Glastonbury. His latest album, Bully, released in March, includes three songs currently in the UK’s top 100 singles chart. The Wireless Festival has framed its event as a “three-night journey through his most iconic records.”
BBC News understands the Home Office has not yet received an application for West’s entry into the UK. Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey argued the government should act more decisively against antisemitism, calling the rapper’s appearance “extremely serious.”
