Former MP Sajid Javid calls on Home Secretary to ban Kanye West from the UK: “Disgraceful”
Former MP and Chancellor of the Exchequer Sajid Javid has called on the Home Secretary to ban Kanye West from the UK in light of his headline slot at Wireless Festival.
The ex-Conservative MP, who is now the chair of the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust, took to X on April 6th to join an increasing number of condemnations of the London festival over its decision to allow the rapper to headline all three nights of the Finsbury Park event this July.
West has an extensive history of antisemitic behaviour, including proclaiming himself as a Nazi and releasing a song called ‘Heil Hitler’ in 2025. He attempted to apologise for these actions earlier this year, attributing them to a brain injury and bipolar disorder.
Despite this, the announcement that the rapper is set to return to the UK for his first live shows since 2015 has been met with widespread criticism, including from Javid, who began his lengthy post by saying: “Wireless Festival’s booking of Kanye West is disgraceful.”
Noting that West’s antisemitism should have “consequences”, the former MP continued: “Those consequences don’t include being given a stage to spread your hate to thousands of young Londoners.”
Javid went on to blast Wireless over its “commercial” decision to platform West, as he added: “The organisers know his notoriety will bring headlines, attention and ticket sales.”
He also then deplored the impact that West’s appearance could have on young people and the rise of antisemitism in the UK, saying the rapper’s “hatred” is “dressed up as edge, rebellion or entertainment”.
Despite this, a number of key sponsors have now pulled out of Wireless, including Pepsi and Diageo, who Javid praised for their withdrawals.
He signed off by calling on the UK government to take action against West, saying: “I’m certain the Home Secretary will want to use her powers and block Kanye West from the UK.”
Prime Minister Keir Starmer previously said Wireless’ decision to platform West was “deeply concerning”, following similar calls from Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey and London mayor Sadiq Khan.
However, at the time of writing, Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has not yet taken any action in regards to banning West from performing in the UK. The current government has never introduced such measures, but in 2015, Tyler, The Creator was banned from Reading and Leeds Festival by then-Home Secretary Theresa May over historic lyrics.
Javid’s post comes as the latest in a number of political calls condemning West, echoing comments made by the UK charity Campaign Against Antisemitism, who told Far Out: “Kanye West has dedicated years of his life to trying to incite his followers to hate Jews. He has more followers than there are Jews on Earth, so his incitement has a huge impact.”
They added: “His cycle of apology and relapse has become a routine, so as with any addict once again we must wait to see if this time is any different.”
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