The Oxford Union has confirmed that leftwing US commentators Cenk Uygur and Hasan Piker will speak via livestream after being denied entry to the UK. The Home Office barred the pair on grounds that their presence was 'not conducive to the public good'.
Uygur, host of The Young Turks, has faced accusations of antisemitic tropes in his criticism of Israel, which he denies. Piker, a streamer, apologised for a 2019 remark that 'America deserved 9/11' and has stood by comments calling Hamas '1,000 times better' than Israel.
Oxford Union president Arwa Elrayess expressed concern over the ban, stating: 'The Oxford Union was founded on one principle: that ideas are challenged through debate, not silenced by decree. Free speech does not require a visa.' The event will proceed on Saturday as planned.
SXSW London, where the pair were also scheduled to appear, confirmed they would not participate due to the Home Office decision. A spokesperson said the festival remains focused on fostering open dialogue with over 800 speakers.
Free speech groups criticised the ban. Index on Censorship chief Jemimah Steinfeld called it a 'worrying escalation', while Liberty director Akiko Hart urged transparency, saying: 'Free speech can only exist when we defend it for those we disagree with.'
