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 scheduled appearance at the Wireless Festival in London this summer. The rapper, now known as Ye, has faced criticism for his antisemitic statements, which he addressed in an apology released in January. Starmer stated in remarks shared by the Sun on Sunday that West’s inclusion as a headliner occurred “despite his earlier antisemitic remarks and embrace of Nazi imagery.”
Pepsi, the primary sponsor of the event, has confirmed it is withdrawing support from the three-day festival. The statement emphasized that antisemitism in any form is “abhorrent” and must be “firmly confronted.” Starmer added that the UK must remain a place where Jewish communities feel secure, stating, “Everyone has a responsibility to ensure Britain is a place where Jewish people feel safe.”
Kanye West’s Public Apologies
West, 48, was announced as the festival’s headline act for all three days earlier this week. The event, branded as “Pepsi presents Wireless,” has been described as a “three-night journey through his most iconic records.” However, his recent actions have sparked debate. In November 2025, he reportedly met with Rabbi Yoshiyahu Yosef Pinto and expressed remorse for past antisemitic comments. A full-page ad in the Wall Street Journal in January followed, where he wrote, “I am not a Nazi or an antisemite,” attributing his outbursts to bipolar disorder and claiming he “lost touch with reality” during manic episodes.
“I regret and am deeply mortified by my actions in that state,” he stated in the advertisement.
Controversial Incidents and Sponsorship Decisions
West’s antisemitic behavior has led to multiple controversies. In 2022, his X account was suspended for violating platform rules with posts linking swastikas to Jewish people. The same year, he faced backlash for wearing a “white lives matter” T-shirt at Paris fashion week, prompting Adidas to end their partnership with him. Earlier in 2025, he also sold swastika-themed T-shirts on his website, while declaring himself a Nazi after retracting a prior apology.
West was previously barred from entering Australia following the release of his “Heil Hitler” song. The UK’s Home Office has not yet received an application for his entry, though Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey called for a ban, arguing that the government should “get tougher on antisemitism” and described the event as “extremely serious.”
Support and Statements
A spokesperson for London Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan noted that West’s past conduct is “offensive and wrong,” contrasting with London’s values. They clarified the decision to withdraw sponsorship was made by the festival organizers, not City Hall. Wireless Festival organizers, Festival Republic, have not yet commented on the situation.
West’s last performance in the UK was at Glastonbury in 2015. His latest album, *Bully*, released in March, includes three tracks in the UK’s top 100 singles chart.
