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Kanye West has been barred from entering the U.K. ahead of his planned headline appearance at Wireless Festival. The controversial rapper submitted an application to travel to the U.K. via an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) on Monday, the Home Office confirmed to the BBC. However, permission was refused on the grounds that his presence would not be conducive to the public good. The decision follows ongoing controversy surrounding Kanye, also known as Ye, who has faced widespread criticism for antisemitic and pro-Nazi remarks made online since 2022. The backlash intensified last year when he began selling T-shirts featuring swastikas. The Stronger rapper had been due to make his live comeback in the U.K. after more than a decade, with plans to headline all three nights of Wireless Festival at London's Finsbury Park in July. The booking sparked public outrage due to his past behaviour, with festival sponsors Pepsi, Diageo and PayPal subsequently cutting ties with this year's event. Following the backlash, Kanye offered to meet with members of the Jewish community in the U.K. Wireless Festival would have marked his first U.K. performance in 11 years. His latest album, Bully, debuted at number three on the albums chart on Friday. Wireless Festival has been cancelled after West was denied entry to the U.K.
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