Two prominent US left-wing commentators have been barred from entering the United Kingdom to participate in the SXSW London conference, the Home Office confirmed on Monday. Cenk Uygur, host of the long-running online political talk show The Young Turks, and Hasan Piker, a well-known streamer and influencer, have had their Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) revoked on grounds that their presence may not be conducive to the public good.
Background of the Ban
The decision has sparked significant controversy, with Green Party leader Zack Polanski describing it as 'really grim'. In a social media post, Polanski warned: 'People often talk about dangerous road we'd go down under a Reform government - this is another clear warning we're down there already. A Labour government doing everything possible to silence criticism of the Israeli Government.'
Both commentators have linked their bans to previous criticism of Israel. Uygur wrote online: '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!' He added that he attempted to board a flight to London before discovering the ban, which also prevented him from speaking at an event organized by University of Oxford students.
Piker claimed the UK revoked his visa 'at the behest of Israel', accusing the West of betraying liberal values for a 'fascist foreign government'. The Home Office decides on ETA cancellations based on an assessment of potential risk to UK society. Both individuals retain the option to apply for a visa, but this process would likely not be completed in time for the SXSW London event, running from Monday to Saturday.
Previous Controversial Statements
Piker has faced backlash for past comments, including a 2019 stream where he reportedly said 'America deserved 9/11', for which he later apologized, calling it 'inappropriate'. He has also stood by remarks that Hamas is '1,000 times better' than Israel and that he 'would vote for Hamas over Israel every single time', while denying antisemitism and defining his stance as anti-Israel.
Uygur’s ban is reportedly based on concerns that his presence could exacerbate antisemitism, according to The Times. He has been accused of propagating harmful tropes in discussions of US-Israel relations and dismissing evidence related to grooming gangs in towns like Rotherham during a conversation with Piers Morgan last year.
Reactions and Wider Context
SXSW organisers had previously described Piker as 'redefining what political commentary looks like in the digital age', noting his live streams reach over 30,000 daily viewers. Last week, the Jewish organisation Community Security Trust urged the festival to 'act responsibly' and avoid providing a platform for Piker, citing his 'record of promoting rhetoric that includes antisemitic themes, denial of well-documented atrocities and apparent support for extremist groups'.
The Home Office declined to comment on the individual cases. Under Secretary Shabana Mahmood, the department has faced criticism from groups like Amnesty International and Defend Our Juries for allegedly cracking down on freedom of expression. Since 2025, over 3,000 protestors have been arrested in connection with Palestine Action, which was proscribed as a terror group by the Home Office.
SXSW London has been approached for comment but has previously stated that its programme includes a 'wide range of speakers with different associations, affiliations and perspectives' and that inclusion does not imply endorsement of all affiliated organisations.
