Kanye West latest: Wireless Festival cancelled after rapper banned from the UK

Kanye West had offered to meet the British Jewish community before the show that has now been cancelled.

He said in a statement before the government’s decision: “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.”

The Community Security Trust (CST), which aims to protect British Jews from antisemitism, described the government’s decision as “a sensible outcome to what has been yet another bruising episode for British Jews”.

Its statement added: “Anti-Jewish hatred should have no place in society and cultural leaders have a role to play in ensuring that is the case.

“People who show genuine and meaningful remorse for previous antisemitic behaviour will always receive a sympathetic hearing from the Jewish community, but that process must come before this kind of public rehabilitation.”

The Wireless headline sets provoked calls for Kanye West to be banned from the UK over repeated antisemitic behaviour.

This included releasing a song called Heil Hitler and advertising a swastika T-shirt for sale on his website.

Sir Keir Starmer said Kanye West “should never have been invited” to headline the Wireless festival and “we will always take the action necessary to protect the public” after the US rapper was blocked from entering the UK.

The prime minister said: “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.”

A statement from organiser Festival Republic read: “The Home Office has withdrawn Ye’s ETA (electronic travel authorisation), denying him entry into the United Kingdom.

“As a result, Wireless Festival is cancelled and refunds will be issued to all ticket-holders.

“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.”

Wireless Festival has been cancelled after US rapper Kanye West was blocked from entering the UK.

Music fans who have purchased tickets for the three performances by West, now known as Ye, scheduled for July in London’s Finsbury Park, will now be refunded.