UK bars entry to US commentators Cenk Uygur, Hasan Piker ahead of London festival

Britain’s interior ministry on Monday said it had revoked the travel authorizations of two US-based political commentators, preventing them from entering the country ahead of appearances at the SXSW London festival.

The Home Office said the Electronic Travel Authorizations (ETAs) of Turkish-American political commentator Cenk Uygur, 56, and streamer Hasan Piker, 34, had been canceled because their presence in the United Kingdom “may not be conducive to the public good.”

The two were scheduled to participate in discussions at the inaugural SXSW London festival this week. Piker was due to speak at a session titled “How The American Left Learned To Speak The Internet,” while Uygur, founder and host of the left-wing YouTube channel The Young Turks, was set to appear on a panel discussing “Techno-Feudalism Is Here. Who Are The Lords?”

The decision comes amid heightened concerns over antisemitism and tensions surrounding the Israel-Gaza conflict in the UK. Authorities have faced pressure to address rhetoric deemed inflammatory toward Jewish communities.

Piker has previously drawn criticism for remarks made during a 2019 livestream in which he said “America deserved 9/11,” comments he later described as inappropriate.

Both commentators condemned the UK’s decision. Uygur alleged on social media that he had been barred because of his criticism of Israel, while Piker similarly claimed the move was politically motivated and linked to his views on the Middle East conflict.

SXSW London, a six-day event running through Saturday, is the British edition of the renowned South by Southwest festival in Austin, Texas, bringing together music, film, television and technology discussions.

The move follows another recent high-profile exclusion by British authorities. Last month, US rapper Ye was denied entry to the UK over his history of antisemitic remarks, leading organizers to cancel his planned appearances at London’s Wireless Festival.