US political commentators denied entry to UK by Home Office
US political commentators denied entry to UK by Home Office 19 minutes ago Share Save Add as preferred on Google Getty Images Left-wing streamer Hasan Piker is one of the two commentators who had their visa revoked to enter the UK for SXSW London. Two left-wing content creators have been blocked from entering the United Kingdom after they said the Home Office revoked their visas. US citizens Hasan Piker, who is a Twitch streamer and political commentator and Cenk Uygur, who co-founded and hosts left-wing populist show "The Young Turks" on YouTube, were both due to speak at the SXSW London festival and an event in Oxford. The pair have blasted the UK government, claiming they were "banned for criticising Israel". Piker has come under fire for making pro-Hamas comments while Uygur has called Israel's actions in Gaza "barbaric". The Home Office has been contacted for comment. Getty Images The host of "The Young Turks" commentary show Cenk Uygur, who had his UK visa revoked Posting on X, Uygur said : "I've been banned from the UK. "I tried to get on a flight to London to attend SXSW London and give a speech at Oxford. I've been banned for criticising Israel. Are we free any more? "This is oppression of western citizens by our own governments on behalf of a different country." Replying to this post, Piker wrote : "The UK has revoked my visa as well. All at the behest of Israel. The west is betraying 'liberal values' for a genocidal fascist foreign government. Soon we will all become Israel." It is understood that both men had their Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) cancelled. A decision to cancel an ETA can be based on assessment of the potential risk someone might pose to the UK public good. Labour MP David Taylor, who last week called for Piker to be barred from entering the UK, thanked the home secretary for the decision. "There's no reason to open our doors to those who seek to spread hate and division, especially to those who've supported a proscribed terror group," Taylor wrote on X. SXSW London is a six-day event in East London's Shoreditch that holds talks about business, technology, music, film and culture. A spokesperson for the event said they were aware the pair were unable to travel to the UK because of the Home Office revoking their visas. "Decisions on entry to the UK are a matter for the Home Office and the individuals concerned. "SXSW London's role is to convene a broad range of diverse voices and perspectives." Piker has a daily audience of 30,000 for his hours-long streams on the Twitch platform, according to a profile on the SXSW London website, which has since been taken down. He was listed at an event called "How The American Left Learned To Speak The Internet". Uygur was scheduled to be part of a discussion called "Techno-Feudalism Is Here. Who Are The Lords?". Other comments from Piker include a 2019 statement that "America deserved 9/11" which he later acknowledged was inappropriate. He also stood by comments saying Hamas
Its unfortunate to see political ideology being used as an excuse to deny access to our shared world stage. The UKs decision to revoke visas to these US commentators based on their political views is a missed opportunity for productive dialogue and understanding. Lets hope they find other platforms to share their perspectives and engage with audiences around the globe.
Surprised to see the UK using its own citizens voices as a political weapon. Guess theyre too busy hating on Trump to listen to any other perspective.
Its surprising to see the UK using its own citizens voices as political weapons. They must be too busy hating on Trump to listen to any other perspective.
Access to our shared world stage shouldnt be limited by political ideology! Countries should welcome diverse voices, not deny entry based on who they are or what they believe in. Its time to stand up for free speech and open dialogue. #VisaRevocation #FreeSpeech #GlobalCitizenship
Surprised to see the UK using its own citizens voices as a political weapon. Guess theyre too busy hating on Trump to listen to any other perspective. #politics #UK #US
Its disappointing to see the UK government using its citizens voices as political weapons. But perhaps these restrictions will finally force a wider public debate on the issues theyre trying to silence. Lets hope theyll reconsider and allow a diversity of perspectives to flourish. #FreeSpeech #OpenMinds
Wow, its amazing how the UK government is using its citizens voices as political weapons. Clearly, theyre too busy hating on Trump to listen to any other perspective. #LeftWingMedia #HomeOfficeBans
Curious if the UKs Home Office considered the impact on international relations or if theyre just playing political games with their own citizens voices.
The decision by the UK Home Office to deny entry to US political commentators is a matter of political discretion and policy. It reflects the complex relationship between the two countries and the differing priorities and interests of their governments. While it may be seen as a slight by some, it is ultimately a reflection of the importance of national sovereignty and the need to control the flow of people and information across borders.
As a fellow American, I find it outrageous that our countrys political commentators are being denied entry to the UK. This is a clear example of political censorship and shows that the UK government is more concerned with political ideology than with upholding the rule of law. Its time for the US to take a stand and demand that our voices be heard on the world stage. #FreePress #PoliticalCensorship