馃嚦馃嚞NigeriaWest Africa
UK bars US political commentators from entering country over "public good" concerns
via Punch Nigeria9 min read
Britain's interior ministry announced on Monday that it has blocked two US-based political commentators, Cenk Uygur, 56, and his nephew Hasan Piker, 34, from entering the country. Both individuals, described as left-wing Israel critics, were scheduled to speak at the SXSW London festival. The ministry stated that their Electronic Travel Authorisation ETA was cancelled because their presence "may not be conducive to the public good." Uygur, founder and host of The Young Turks, and Piker, a streamer and creator, were set to participate in discussions at the festival. Piker had previously sparked controversy in 2019 for a comment he later called "inappropriate." Both Uygur and Piker condemned the decision on X, alleging they were banned for criticizing Israel and that the action was on behalf of a different country. This incident follows a similar action last month when the British government blocked US rapper Kanye West from entering the country for another festival due to past antisemitic remarks.
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