Starmer ‘concerned’ over Kanye West UK festival dates
UK Prime Minister Expresses Concern Over Kanye West’s Festival Appearance
Sir Keir Starmer, the UK Prime Minister, has voiced alarm over Kanye West’s scheduled headline performance at the Wireless Festival in London this summer. The rapper, now known as Ye, has drawn significant backlash for his antisemitic remarks, which he formally apologized for in January. Starmer, in comments initially reported by the Sun on Sunday, highlighted that West was booked ‘despite his previous antisemitic remarks and celebration of Nazism.’
Pepsi, the festival’s headline sponsor, has announced its decision to withdraw support from the three-day event. Starmer emphasized that ‘Antisemitism in any form is abhorrent and must be confronted firmly wherever it appears.’ He added, ‘Everyone has a responsibility to ensure Britain is a place where Jewish people feel safe.’
Kanye West’s UK Festival Booking Sparks Debate
The rapper, who is 48, was unveiled this week as the headliner for the rap and R&B festival in north London. The event is branded as ‘Pepsi presents Wireless,’ with the beverage company serving as the primary sponsor. However, the festival website’s description at Sunday lunchtime still claimed, ‘Pepsi MAX are a long-standing partner of the Wireless Festival and anticipate further musical moments.’
Sir Ed Davey, leader of the Liberal Democrats, called for a ban on West’s entry into the UK, stating, ‘We need to get tougher on antisemitism’ and labeling his appearance ‘extremely serious.’ Meanwhile, Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch asserted, ‘We are seeing a huge increase in antisemitism globally and need to do everything to stop the rise in hatred of Jewish people.’ She added, ‘That does mean not platforming people who make antisemitic statements or put out anything that incites violence and hatred toward Jews.’
West’s Controversial History
West’s recent actions include a meeting with Rabbi Yoshiyahu Yosef Pinto in November 2025, where he reportedly apologized for past antisemitic comments. He later published a full-page advertisement in the Wall Street Journal in January, stating, ‘I am not a Nazi or an antisemite.’ In the ad, he explained his behavior as a result of bipolar disorder, saying, ‘When you’re manic, you don’t think you’re sick,’ and claimed, ‘I lost touch with reality,’ adding, ‘I regret and am deeply mortified by my actions in that state.’
In 2022, West’s X account faced multiple bans for posts that violated platform rules.
