YE ARE BANNED

Rapper dramatically barred from UK following anti-Semitism backlash

- BY SOPHIE HUSKISSON and DAVE BURKE Political Correspondents

THIS summer's Wireless Festival has been cancelled after Kanye West was dramatically blocked from entering the UK following a backlash over his anti-Semitic comments.

The controversial US rapper, who performs as Ye, previously released a track titled Heil Hitler and advertised a swastika T-shirt for sale on his website.

PM Keir Starmer said he should never have been invited to headline Wireless.

West made an application on Monday to travel to the UK via an Electronic Travel Authorisation, it is understood.

But the Home Office blocked the 48-year-old’s permission to travel on the grounds his presence in the UK would not be conducive to the public good.

The government faced calls to ban him over his anti-Semitic comments.

The festival said the three-day event in Finsbury Park, North London, in July has been cancelled. West previously performed there in 2014.

Yesterday Wireless said: “The Home Office has withdrawn Ye's ETA, denying him entry into the United Kingdom.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.

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

“Anti-Semitism in all its forms is abhorrent, and we recognise the real and personal impact these issues have had.

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