The UK government has denied Kanye West permission to enter the country following controversy surrounding his planned headline performance at this summer’s Wireless Festival.
The Home Office confirmed that West had applied to travel to the UK via an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA), but ministers acted after mounting pressure for both his appearance to be cancelled and for a wider ban on his entry.
It has now been confirmed that the artist, who now goes by Ye, will not be allowed into the UK.
The decision comes a week after the festival line-up was revealed. Wireless promoted the announcement with an Instagram video of West performing, which also mentioned Pepsi UK’s account. He had been scheduled to headline all three nights of the event, taking place from 10–12 July.
Wireless Festival’s decision to book the rapper as its headline act sparked firm backlash, with senior political figures including Prime Minister Keir Starmer and London Mayor Sadiq Khan among those criticising the move. Concern centres on his long history of antisemitic, pro-Nazi and racist remarks, and the message sent by continuing to platform him.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer said it was “deeply concerning” that West had been booked “despite his previous antisemitic remarks and celebration of Nazism”.
Pressure on organisers escalated over the weekend, with several major sponsors distancing themselves from the event. Pepsi pulled out of its sponsorship role, followed by Rockstar Energy, while payment partner PayPal will no longer appear in upcoming promotional campaigns.
Michael Weiger, chief executive of the Board of Deputies of British Jews, was among those calling for the UK to refuse West entry. The organisation also accused Wireless Festival, its parent company Festival Republic and managing director Melvin Benn of “profiteering from racism”.
“We think that would be a very appropriate step were the home secretary to find a way to not allow him into the country,” he said.
Earlier this week, West said he “would be grateful” for the opportunity to meet members of the UK’s Jewish community in light of the controversy.
In response, the Board of Deputies said it would be willing to meet the rapper, but only if he withdraws from his planned Wireless performances.
“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.
The artist has already faced travel restrictions elsewhere, with Australia cancelling his visa after the release of Heil Hitler last May.
Wireless is yet to comment.