Kanye West barred from entering U.K. after criticism over antisemitic remarks

World Kanye West blocked from entering U.K. after criticism over past antisemitic remarks Updated on: April 7, 2026 / 10:38 AM EDT / CBS/AP Add CBS News on Google The rapper formerly known as Kanye West was barred Tuesday from entering the U.K., where he was scheduled to headline the Wireless Festival in July, after a backlash over Ye's history of antisemitic remarks.Festival organizers canceled the three-day outdoor event as a result of the travel ban and said those who had bought tickets would get refunds.Ye had been granted an electronic travel authorization which has now been withdrawn on the grounds that his presence in the U.K. would not be "conducive to the public good," CBS News partner network BBC News said, citing the Home Office."Kanye West should never have been invited to headline Wireless," U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on social media. "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."Ye had been expected to perform in front of around 150,000 revelers July 10-12 at the open-air festival in London's Finsbury Park.Earlier, a senior member of the British government said Ye should "absolutely not" play at the festival. Ye had responded to the controversy by offering to meet members of the U.K.'s Jewish community and show he has changed since provoking outrage with antisemitic statements.Festival organizers had been under mounting pressure from sponsors and politicians to cancel the gigs by the rapper, who has drawn widespread condemnation for making antisemitic remarks and voicing admiration for Adolf Hitler. Last year, Ye released a song called "Heil Hitler" and advertised a swastika T-shirt for sale on his website. The 48-year-old apologized in January with a letter, published as a full-page advertisement in The Wall Street Journal. He said his bipolar disorder led...