Sir Keir Starmer: Kanye West should never have been invited to headline Wireless Festival

UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer says Kanye West "should never have been invited" to headline the Wireless Festival.

The festival was cancelled on Tuesday (07.04.26) after the controversial rapper – who had been set to headline all three nights of the London event in July – was blocked from coming to the UK by the Home Office and Starmer stressed that the UK Government "stands firmly with the Jewish community" amid anger at previous anti-Semitic comments made by the star, who is now known as Ye.

In a post on X, the Prime Minister wrote: "Kanye West should never have been invited to headline Wireless.

"This government stands firmly with the Jewish community, and we will not stop in our fight to confront and defeat the poison of antisemitism.

"We will always take the action necessary to protect the public and uphold our values."

Wireless Festival organisers announced the cancellation of the event following the Home Office's decision to bar the Stronger rapper from entering the UK.

A statement read: "The Home Office has withdrawn Ye's ETA, denying him entry into the United Kingdom.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."

It added: "As with every Wireless Festival, multiple stakeholders were consulted in advance of booking Ye and no concerns were highlighted at the time.

"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 Jewish community in the UK."

The decision to book West for the Finsbury Park festival led to sponsors such as Pepsi and Diageo withdrawing their support for the event but the star – who previously expressed admiration for Nazi leader Adolf Hitler - had vowed to bring "peace, and love" to Wireless and offered to meet with "members of the Jewish community".

In a statement released before the Home Office's decision, the 48-year-old rapper said: "I’ve been following the conversation around Wireless and want to address it directly.

"My only goal is to come to London and present a show of change, bringing unity, peace, and love through my music.

"I would be grateful for the opportunity to meet with members of the Jewish community in the UK in person, to listen. I know words aren’t enough – I’ll have to show change through my actions. If you’re open, I’m here."