Overview
- Kanye West, who performs as Ye, had his Electronic Travel Authorisation withdrawn on Tuesday, and organisers then cancelled Wireless Festival and promised full refunds.
- Officials cited a rule that allows the home secretary to refuse entry if a person’s presence is not conducive to the public good, a power often used in cases linked to extremism or public safety.
- Major sponsors including Pepsi, Diageo, Rockstar Energy and PayPal had already cut ties after Ye was booked to headline all three nights in July.
- Political leaders such as Prime Minister Keir Starmer and London Mayor Sadiq Khan criticised the booking, while promoter Melvin Benn defended it and called for forgiveness.
- Ye issued a statement offering to meet members of the British Jewish community and to show change through actions, and several outlets reported his travel approval was first granted online before ministers intervened.