Performer is being extended ‘forgiveness’ over antisemitic remarks, says managing director of festival’s promoter
The promoter of Wireless festival has stood by the decision to have Kanye West perform at the event, despite an outcry over the rapper’s antisemitism and calls to cancel his appearance.
West, who is legally known as Ye, has been criticised for making antisemitic remarks including voicing admiration for Adolf Hitler. Last year he released a song called Heil Hitler, a few months after advertising a swastika T-shirt for sale on his website.
His planned appearance has been condemned by MPs and Jewish organisations who have urged the government to ban him from the country. Earlier on Monday, Bridget Phillipson, a senior UK government minister, said West should be barred from performing at the festival because of his “completely unacceptable and absolutely disgusting” antisemitic remarks.
Over the weekend, the prime minister, Keir Starmer, joined criticism of the festival, saying it was “deeply concerning” that West had been booked to perform “despite his previous antisemitic remarks and celebration of nazism”.
