Keir Starmer ‘concerned’ over Kanye West UK festival dates
Keir Starmer Expresses Concern Over Kanye West’s UK Festival Appearance
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has voiced worries about Kanye West’s upcoming role as the headliner for the Wireless Festival in London this summer. The American rapper, now known as Ye, has faced broad backlash for his antisemitic remarks in recent years, which he addressed with an apology in January.
West, 48, was confirmed to perform across all three days of the rap and R&B event in north London earlier this week. In response, Starmer stated that West’s booking is “deeply concerning,” citing his “previous antisemitic remarks and celebration of Nazism.” He emphasized, “Antisemitism in any form is abhorrent and must be confronted firmly wherever it appears. Everyone has a responsibility to ensure Britain is a place where Jewish people feel safe.”
Festival Announcement and Antisemitic Controversy
The Wireless Festival, scheduled for 10-12 July, has framed the event as a “three-night journey through his most iconic records.” However, the artist’s past actions have sparked debate. His X account faced multiple bans in 2022 for posts violating platform rules, including an image merging a swastika with the Star of David and a statement about targeting Jewish people “death con 3.”
Earlier this year, West wore a “white lives matter” T-shirt during Paris fashion week, prompting criticism and leading to Adidas ending their collaboration. He also sold swastika-emblazoned clothing online, retracted an earlier apology for antisemitic comments, and declared himself a Nazi in November 2025 after meeting Rabbi Yoshiyahu Yosef Pinto.
Reactions from Political and Jewish Leaders
Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey called for a ban on West’s entry into the UK, urging stricter measures against antisemitism. The Home Office has not yet received an application for his visit. Starmer’s comments were first reported by the Sun on Sunday, highlighting the government’s stance on the issue.
“We need to get tougher on antisemitism,” Davey argued, labeling West’s appearance as “extremely serious.”
West issued a full-page ad in the Wall Street Journal in January, stating, “I am not a Nazi or an antisemite.” He attributed his past comments to bipolar disorder, explaining, “When you’re manic, you don’t think you’re sick. I regret and am deeply mortified by my actions in that state.”
The London Mayor’s office clarified that the festival organizers, not City Hall, made the decision to invite West. A spokesperson said, “The past comments and actions of this artist are offensive and wrong, and are simply not reflective of London’s values.”
Wireless organizers Festival Republic have not yet commented on the controversy, but the Board of Deputies of British Jews, the largest Jewish representative body in the UK, has urged the government to block his entry. West’s last UK performance was in 2015 at Glastonbury, and his latest album Bully, released in March, includes three tracks in the UK’s top 100 singles chart.
