Starmer ‘concerned’ over Kanye West UK festival dates
Starmer ‘concerned’ over Kanye West UK festival dates
Wireless Festival in London is set to feature Kanye West as its headliner this summer, prompting Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer to express worry over the rapper’s association with the event. West, who has faced scrutiny for his past antisemitic remarks, issued an apology in January for remarks he had made in recent years. Starmer stated in comments shared by the Sun on Sunday that the artist was booked “despite his previous antisemitic remarks and celebration of Nazism,” highlighting concerns about the cultural impact of his presence.
Pepsi withdraws sponsorship
The festival’s main sponsor, Pepsi, has decided to pull its backing from the three-day event. Starmer emphasized that “antisemitism in any form is abhorrent and must be confronted firmly wherever it appears,” adding that “everyone has a responsibility to ensure Britain is a place where Jewish people feel safe.” West was announced as the headliner for all three days of the July festival, which is marketed under the brand “Pepsi presents Wireless.” As of Sunday lunchtime, the festival’s website still listed Pepsi MAX as a “long-standing partner,” though the sponsorship decision was reportedly made independently by the organizers.
Wireless organizers Festival Republic and West’s representatives have yet to comment on the situation, according to the latest reports. The festival is described as a “three-night journey through his most iconic records,” though some have questioned whether his past actions align with the event’s values.
Political reactions to West’s appearance
Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey called for a ban on West’s entry into the UK, arguing that “we need to get tougher on antisemitism” and framing the rapper’s planned performance as “extremely serious.” Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch echoed the sentiment, stating that “we are seeing a huge increase in antisemitism globally” and stressing the need to “stop the rise in hatred of Jewish people.” Reform UK’s Nigel Farage, meanwhile, suggested he personally “wouldn’t buy a ticket” for the event.
West’s history of controversial statements includes a 2022 ban on his X account for posts violating platform rules. At the time, he shared an image combining a swastika with the Star of David and claimed he would “go death con 3 on Jewish people.” Earlier that year, he wore a “white lives matter” T-shirt during Paris fashion week, leading to backlash and prompting Adidas to sever ties with him over antisemitism. In 2023, West was blocked from entering Australia after releasing a song titled “Heil Hitler,” which glorified the Nazi leader.
Recent efforts to reconcile with critics
Despite past controversies, West has attempted to address criticism. In November 2025, he reportedly met with Rabbi Yoshiyahu Yosef Pinto and apologized for his earlier antisemitic comments. Later that month, he published a full-page ad in the Wall Street Journal, stating: “I am not a Nazi or an antisemite.” He attributed his actions to bipolar disorder, explaining that “when you’re manic, you don’t think you’re sick” and that he “lost touch with reality” during those episodes. He expressed regret, saying he was “deeply mortified” by his behavior in that state.
West has not performed in the UK since 2015, when he headlined Glastonbury. His latest album, *Bully*, released in March, includes three songs that are currently within the UK’s top 100 singles chart. Meanwhile, the Board of Deputies of British Jews, the largest Jewish community organization in the country, urged BBC Newsnight to block West’s entry, aligning with growing calls for accountability.
A spokesperson for London Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan noted that the festival organizers’ decision to invite West reflects their own choices, not City Hall’s involvement. The mayor’s office reiterated that the artist’s past comments and actions are “offensive and wrong” and “not reflective of London’s values.” As the festival approaches, tensions over West’s role continue to shape public and political discourse.
