Controversial Twitch streamer Hasan Piker and his uncle, broadcaster, Cenk Uygur, have both reportedly been banned from entering the U.K. by the Home Office. The move means they will be unable to attend SXSW London, where they were scheduled to be speaking.
Reps for U.K. home secretary Shabana Mahmood did not respond to queries from Variety but The Times of London reports that she cancelled Uygur’s electronic travel authorisation (ETA), which allows travellers to enter the U.K. without a visa for up to six months, after concluding his presence would not be “conducive to the public good”.
In a statement on X, Uygur wrote: “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 criticizing Israel. Are we free anymore? This is oppression of Western citizens by our own governments on behalf of a different country!”
Although neither The Times of London nor the Home Office have confirmed Piker’s ban, the streamer responded to Uygur’s post with his own message, saying: “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.” [Sic]
Piker was due to appear at SXSW London on a panel titled “How the American Left Learned to Speak the Internet” while Uygur was set to speak on “Techno-Feudalism is Here. Who Are the Lords?”
The Times of London reported Mamood’s decision was based on Uygur’s recent exchanges with Piers Morgan in which he made “concerning” comments about the U.K.’s grooming gangs scandal and that his presence would “risk exacerbating antisemitism due to his rhetoric since the October 7 attacks in 2023.” He has also denied the genocide in Armenia and is said to have made “misogynistic slurs” in the past.
Piker also has a history of inflammatory statements, including saying that “America deserved 9/11″ and voicing support for proscribed terror group Hamas.
SXSW London did not respond to Variety’s queries.
