The BBC has reported that the Home Office has blocked Kanye West’s visa application to travel to the UK.
West reportedly made the application yesterday via a UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA). The decision was made on the grounds that his “presence would not be conducive to the public good”.
The US rapper – now known as Ye – had already issued a statement amid the controversy over his booking to headline Wireless Festival across three days (July 10-12) in Finsbury Park, London. Tickets went on pre-sale today.
But promoters Festival Republic confirmed that Wireless is now cancelled.
"The Home Office has withdrawn Ye's ETA, denying him entry into the United Kingdom," said a statement. "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."
Headline sponsor Pepsi had pulled out of Wireless, following concerns about West’s previous antisemitic and pro-Nazi comments in recent years. It followed Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer’s statement at the weekend that he was "deeply concerned" about the prospect of West appearing in the UK.
The US star apologised for his actions in a lengthy statement published in the Wall Street Journal in January. West blamed manic episodes caused by bipolar disorder.
“I’ve been following the conversation around Wireless and want to address it directly,” he said in a new statement. “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 my words aren’t enough – I’ll have to show change through my actions. If you’re open, I’m here.”
In a statement made prior to the Home Office decision, the Board Of Deputies of British Jews said it was willing to meet the rapper if he pulls out of his planned performances at Wireless.
"The Jewish community will want to see a genuine remorse and change before believing that the appropriate place to test this sincerity is on the main stage at the Wireless Festival," said the Board's president Phil Rosenberg.
My only goal is to come to London and present a show of change, bringing unity, peace, and love through my music
Ye
Wireless Festival would have marked his first UK performance in 11 years. He debuted at No.3 in the albums chart on Friday (April 3) with Bully (Gamma/YZY).
In a statement on Monday (April 6(, Festival Republic MD Melvin Benn said: “What Ye has said in the past about Jews and Hitler is as abhorrent to me as it is to the Jewish community, the Prime Minister and others that have commented and – taking him at his word – to Ye now also.
“Ye’s music is played on commercial radio stations in this country. It is available via live streams and downloads in this country without comment or vitriol from anyone and he has a legal right to come into the country and to perform in this country. He is intended to come in and perform. We are not giving him a platform to extol opinion of whatever nature, only to perform the songs that are currently played on the radio stations in our country and the streaming platforms in our country and listened to and enjoyed by millions.
“Forgiveness and giving people a second chance are becoming a lost virtue in this ever-increasing divisive world and I would ask people to reflect on their instant comments of disgust at the likelihood of him performing (as was mine) and offer some forgiveness and hope to him as I have decided to do.”
PHOTO: Kanye West performing at Rolling Loud in California in 2024 (credit: Getty/Scott Dudelson).
