Kanye West says he desires to satisfy Jewish communities in London as Wireless row continues and Wes Streeting insists he ought to NOT be headlining the pageant

Kanye West wants to meet with Jewish communities in London ahead of headlining Wireless Festival later this summer, he has written in an updated apology letter.

But earlier this morning, Health Secretary Wes Streeting insisted he should not allowed to perform, hours after it was revealed that ministers were reviewing whether the American rapper should be allowed to enter Britain.

West, also known as Ye or Yeezy, has drawn widespread criticism in recent years for a series of anti-Semitic remarks and for voicing admiration for Adolf Hitler.

The Government is being urged to bar the controversial musician from the UK by deeming him a person who is ‘not conducive to the public good’.

The 48-year-old is set to top the bill for all three nights of Wireless Festival in London’s Finsbury Park in July – where he hopes to bring ‘unity, peace, and love’ through his music.

Speaking to GB News, Mr Streeting said whether he was allowed to enter the UK was a matter for the Home Office.

He said: ‘As to whether he should be headlining the Wireless Festival, I think that’s very straightforward, no I do not think he should be headlining the Wireless Festival.

‘I think his comments were absolutely grotesque and whatever justification he uses, he has got to accept that with his enormous fame and reach comes influence and a responsibility, and his comments take place against a backdrop of rising antisemitism, rising hatred against Jewish people, not just around the world but in this country.’  

However, the fashion designer today shared an update to his apology letter titled ‘To Those I’ve Hurt’ that was published in The Washington Post in January this year, where he had apologised for his anti-Semitic behaviour.

He wrote: ‘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.’

West had previously attributed his inflammatory actions to bipolar disorder, which he said he developed as a result of an injury sustained in a car crash 25 years ago.

‘I am not a Nazi or an anti-Semite,’ he wrote, adding: ‘I love Jewish people.’

He previously made an apology to the Jewish community in 2023 in a social media statement posted in Hebrew. 

West went on to begin selling swastika t-shirts on his website in February 2025.

Phil Rosenberg, president of the Board of Deputies of British Jews, said it was ‘absolutely the wrong decision’ for Wireless to book West.

Sponsors like Pepsi and Diageo have already withdrawn their support from the festival after Ye was announced as the headline act.

It has also been reported that Rockstar Energy has pulled its sponsorship, while PayPal will not appear in any of the event’s future promotional materials.

There is now mounting pressure on Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood to ensure West can’t enter the UK ahead of his summer gigs.

Ms Mahmood has powers to ‘exclude’ someone from Britain if they are not considered conducive to the public good.

This can include those who have ‘engaged in extremism or other unacceptable behaviour’, or someone who ‘if admitted to the UK the person is likely to incite public disorder’.

A person does not need to have a criminal conviction to be refused admission on non-conducive grounds, according to Home Office guidance.

It is understood that the Home Office is not aware of any immediate plans for West to travel to the UK, but his permission to enter is currently being reviewed by ministers.

The PM himself joined criticism of the event saying it is ‘deeply concerning’ that West is due to perform ‘despite his previous anti-Semitic remarks and celebration of Nazism’.

Senior Tory MP Chris Philp, the shadow home secretary, wrote to Ms Mahmood on Monday to use her powers to block West from entering the UK.

‘Given his repeated anti-Semitic remarks, including statements expressing sympathy for Nazi ideology, his return to the UK is deeply concerning,’ he said.

‘This is not a one-off lapse, but a pattern of behaviour that has caused real offence and distress to Jewish communities.

‘His partial apologies have been retracted in the past and do not atone for what he has said.’

Mr Philp added: ‘At a time when anti-Semitism is rising in the UK, allowing someone with this track record to headline a major public event sends entirely the wrong message.’

Last month, four Jewish community ambulances were set on fire outside a north-west London synagogue in a suspected anti-Semitic hate crime.

Three men have since been charged in the arson attack.