Keir Starmer ‘concerned’ over Kanye West UK festival dates

Keir Starmer ‘concerned’ over Kanye West UK festival dates

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has raised concerns about Kanye West’s planned appearance at the Wireless Festival in London this summer. The rapper, now known as Ye, has faced criticism for his past antisemitic remarks, which he addressed in a public apology earlier this year. His inclusion as the headliner for all three days of the north London event was announced this week, sparking debate about his suitability for the platform.

Starmer emphasized in comments reported by the Sun on Sunday that West’s booking is “deeply concerning” given his history of antisemitic statements and support for Nazism. He stated,

“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.”

Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey echoed the sentiment, urging the government to ban West from entering the UK. He called the rapper’s scheduled appearance “extremely serious,” arguing for stricter measures against antisemitism. As of now, the Home Office has not received an application for West’s entry, according to BBC News.

West’s controversies date back to last year, when he was barred from Australia after releasing a track titled “Heil Hitler.” The song, which glorified the Nazi leader, led to his temporary exclusion from the country. He also claimed to be a Nazi earlier in the year, retracting a previous apology for his antisemitic comments and selling T-shirts with swastikas on his clothing website.

Despite these incidents, West recently met with Rabbi Yoshiyahu Yosef Pinto in November 2025, where he reportedly expressed regret for his past remarks. In January, he placed a full-page ad in the Wall Street Journal, writing,

“I am not a Nazi or an antisemite. I regret and am deeply mortified by my actions in that state.”

He attributed his behavior to bipolar disorder, explaining that during manic episodes, he “don’t think you’re sick” and “lost touch with reality.”

West’s social media account was suspended multiple times in 2022 for violating rules, including a post combining a swastika with the Star of David and labeling his stance as “death con 3 on Jewish people.” His actions also drew backlash during Paris fashion week when he wore a “white lives matter” T-shirt, leading to his partnership with Adidas ending. The brand cited his “failure to tolerate antisemitism and any other sort of hate speech.”

Since 2015, West has not performed in the UK, though three tracks from his latest album, released in March, currently rank within the top 100 singles chart. The Wireless Festival, set to run from 10-12 July, has framed its event as a “three-night journey through his most iconic records.” While the festival organizers, Festival Republic, have yet to comment, the London Mayor’s office noted that the decision was made independently by the event’s team, stating,

“We are clear that the past comments and actions of this artist are offensive and wrong, and are simply not reflective of London’s values.”