Alex Armstrong wades into Kanye West controversy as he blasts Keir Starmer for ‘shameless hypocrisy’

Lydia Davies
Wed, 08 Apr 2026 07:52:15 +0000

Alex Armstrong has accused the Prime Minister of “shameless hypocrisy” following the Government’s decision to block Kanye West from entering the UK.

The rapper had been scheduled to headline all three nights of this year’s Wireless Festival before the Home Office ruled that his “presence would not be conducive to public good."

Sir Keir publicly backed the decision to bar Mr West, stating: “Kanye West should never have been invited to headline Wireless.

“This government stands firmly with the Jewish community, and we will not stop in our fight to confront and defeat the poison of antisemitism."

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He continued: “We will always take the action necessary to protect the public and uphold our values.”

Responding on X, Alex wrote: “This is the same bloke that celebrated Alaa Abd El-Fattah coming to the UK and gave him a passport. Shameless hypocrisy.”

Mr West’s planned appearance at the London festival, which would have marked his first UK performance since 2015.

The artist has faced widespread criticism over a series of antisemitic remarks and actions in recent years, including offensive social media posts and the promotion of material linked to Nazi imagery.

Despite issuing an apology earlier this year and offering to meet with members of the UK’s Jewish community, backlash intensified after his Wireless headline slot was confirmed.

Festival organisers initially defended the booking, with managing director Melvin Benn stating that Mr West had been granted a visa in the days leading up to the announcement.

However, Pepsi, which had been the primary partner for the Finsbury Park festival under the Pepsi MAX Presents Wireless branding for a decade, confirmed its withdrawal over the weekend.

Drinks giant Diageo swiftly followed suit, informing organisers it would not be supporting the 2026 festival.

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This is the same bloke that celebrate Ala Abd El-Fattah coming to the UK and gave him a passport.

Shameless hypocrisy. https://t.co/ShBd2xW0B9
— Alex Armstrong (@Alexarmstrong) April 7, 2026

Rockstar Energy Drink also pulled out, according to sources.

Just hours after news broke of Mr West being barred from entering the UK, Wireless Festival organisers confirmed the entire 2026 event would be cancelled as a result of the decision, with full refunds issued to ticket holders.

On Tuesday, Wireless official social media account posted: "As a result of the Home Office banning YE from entering the United Kingdom, Wireless Festival has been forced to cancel."

The move divided opinion, with some welcoming the Government’s firm stance against antisemitism, while others raised concerns over censorship and free speech.

Alex's post quickly attracted a flurry of responses on social media, reflecting the wider split in public reaction.

One user wrote: “And you lot cheered when Bob Vylan was banned from USA. Exactly the same.”

Another added: “We should be more like the US, who are a FREE country!”

Others took aim directly at the Prime Minister, with one commenting: “Why is it that every half term this Starmer bloke and his government bad things keep happening.”

A further post questioned the decision-making process, stating: “If West can be denied entry as his presence would not be in the interests of the UK, could we not use the same process for Starmer?”

Another simply wrote: “Why not both?” (sic)