Kanye West blocked from travelling to the UK for London performances

By George Lithgow, Press Association Political and Home Affairs Correspondent

Kanye West has been blocked from travelling to the UK to perform at a London festival.

The rapper made an application to travel to the country on Monday via an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA), but the Home Office stopped him on the grounds that his presence in the UK would “not be conducive to the public good”, the Press Association understands.

The planned headline performances by West, now known as Ye, at Wireless this summer has provoked calls for him to be banned from the UK because of behaviour, which has included releasing a song called Heil Hitler and advertising a swastika T-shirt for sale on his website.

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West offered to meet the British Jewish community before his show.

He said in a statement before the Government’s decision: “I’ve been following the conversation around Wireless and want to address it directly.

“My only goal is to come to London and present a show of change, bringing unity, peace, and love through my music.

“I would be grateful for the opportunity to meet with members of the Jewish community in the UK in person, to listen.

“I know words aren’t enough – I’ll have to show change through my actions.

“If you’re open, I’m here.”

Presale tickets for Wireless Festival were released at 12pm on Tuesday and are believed to have sold out, while the general sale opens at 12pm on Wednesday.