While speaking at SXSW London on Thursday, Piers Morgan said he was “a bit disappointed” in the organization’s reaction to broadcaster Cenk Uygur being barred from entering the U.K.
Uygur and his nephew, Hasan Piker — who were both scheduled to speak at SXSW London — were barred from entering the U.K. by the Home Office on Monday.
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!”
A spokesperson SXSW London responded by saying, “We are aware that Cenk Uygur and Hasan Piker are unable to travel to the UK following a decision by the Home Office. They will therefore not be participating in the SXSW London programme this year. 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. We remain focused on delivering a programme this week fostering open dialogue and exchange of ideas and featuring more than 800 speakers, artists and screenings.”
Speaking at a panel at the festival alongside singer Katherine Jenkins on Thursday, Morgan said: “Cenk Uygur, who is a regular guest on my show, was banned from entering the country. He was supposed to do Oxford Union and this event as well, and the Oxford Union raced to defend him and this organization didn’t. I’m a bit disappointed by that, and I’m using my right to say that at their own event. But it would have been quite nice for them to stand up actually for free speech and demand that Cenk Uygur be allowed in the country and come and debate here and express himself in a free democratic manner, if we believe that our country is a free democratic country.”
He continued, “It was actually because he’s quite critical of the Israeli government, well so am I. Am I going to get banned? … They could have stood up for saying, actually he should have been allowed to come in.”
SXSW London did not immediately respond to Variety‘s request for comment.
