British PM slams London music festival for booking Kanye West as sponsor Pepsi quits event

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has expressed concern about planned concerts in London by US rapper Kanye West, who has a history of antisemitic outbursts.
Campaigners…

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has expressed concern about planned concerts in London by US rapper Kanye West, who has a history of antisemitic outbursts.

Campaigners against antisemitism added their voices to the protests on Sunday and Pepsi, sponsors of the festival concerned, pulled out of the event.

The disgraced 48-year-old hip-hop star – now known as Ye – is set to play three nights at the Wireless festival in London in July as part of a European comeback tour.

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Starmer told The Sun newspaper on Saturday it was “deeply concerning Kanye West has been booked to perform at Wireless despite his previous antisemitic remarks and celebration of Nazism”.

He added that “antisemitism in any form is abhorrent and must be confronted firmly”.

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A spokesperson for event sponsor Pepsi told Agence France-Presse on Sunday that the brand “has decided to withdraw its sponsorship of Wireless Festival”, without giving a reason.

The festival’s operating company, Live Nation, has not so far responded to a request for comment from Agence France-Presse.