U.K. bars Kanye West from entry; Wireless Festival cancelled
The Home Office denied West's travel application, citing concerns his presence would not be conducive to public good. The London festival, scheduled for July, is now cancelled with full refunds offered.
12:57 PM
The British government has blocked rapper Kanye West, who now goes by Ye, from entering the United Kingdom, leading to the cancellation of the Wireless Festival in London where he was scheduled to headline in July.
The Home Office denied West's travel application on Tuesday, according to a spokesman who stated the decision was made on the grounds that his presence would "not be conducive to the public good." West had filed the travel application with the Home Office on Monday.
Wireless Festival announced the cancellation in a statement Tuesday: "The Home Office has withdrawn YE's ETA, denying him entry into the United Kingdom. As a result, Wireless Festival is cancelled and refunds will be issued to all ticket holders."
West was the only performer announced for the three-day festival, and tickets were scheduled to go on sale this week. The decision to bar West from the country followed days of public debate after he announced his headlining role at the festival.
In its statement, Wireless Festival said: "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 community."
The festival's organizers also noted that "multiple stakeholders were consulted in advance of booking YE and no concerns were highlighted at the time."
West has faced widespread criticism in recent years for a series of antisemitic, racist, and pro-Nazi comments. A representative for West did not immediately respond to requests for comment regarding the Home Office decision.