UK government urged to ban singer Macklemore from Britain ahead of Wembley gig

A group of 50 peers has urged Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood to prevent Macklemore from entering Britain ahead of his scheduled concert at London’s OVO Arena, Wembley. The rapper, whose real name is Benjamin Haggerty, is due to perform on October 30 as part of his Free Palestine Tour.

According to Metro, a letter written by Baron Walney, the government’s former adviser on political violence, asks the Home Secretary to revoke the musician’s electronic travel authorisation. The peers argue that his proposed visit would not be conducive to the public good because some concert proceeds would reportedly go to the Palestinian Youth Movement.

The organisation has faced allegations of links to terrorist groups and of celebrating their activities. It denies those allegations. The letter also criticises the movement over a social media post following the October 7 attacks in Israel that stated: “When people are occupied, resistance is justified.”

According to The Telegraph’s account of the letter, the peers maintain that refusing Macklemore entry would be a targeted response to the proposed fundraising and would not prevent people from supporting other humanitarian organisations or accessing his music.

Macklemore announced the tour after being removed from Ed Sheeran’s tour following pro-Palestinian remarks on stage, according to Metro. He pledged to donate money from ticket sales to organisations supporting Palestinians.

The tour opened at Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Colorado on Thursday, October 22, where he called for a free Palestine and expressed solidarity with people affected by conflicts and displacement elsewhere. He also spoke about Sudan, Congo, Lebanon, Haiti and people affected by US immigration enforcement. Metro said it had contacted the Home Office and Macklemore for comment. The report did not announce any government decision on the peers’ request.