Free speech activists have criticised the UK government after it banned two leftwing US political commentators, Cenk Uygur and Hasan Piker, from entering the country for speaking engagements. The Home Office cancelled their electronic travel authorisations (ETAs), stating their presence “may not be conducive to the public good”.
Both commentators have been accused of propagating antisemitism. Uygur, host of The Young Turks, has denied the claims, insisting his criticism of Israel is limited to its influence on US policy. Piker, who runs a daily online stream, has faced backlash for comments including a 2019 remark that “America deserved 9/11”, which he later apologised for, and for describing Hamas as “1,000 times better” than Israel.
Jemimah Steinfeld, chief executive of Index on Censorship, called the bans a “worrying escalation”. She said: “Free speech is tested by hard cases and, in this instance, the UK is failing.” Akiko Hart, director of Liberty, urged the government to be transparent about its rationale, adding: “Free speech can only exist when we defend it for those we disagree with.”
The bans followed calls from Labour MP David Taylor for Piker to be prevented from speaking. The Community Security Trust, a Jewish organisation, had urged SXSW organisers not to provide a “platform” for Piker. Zack Polanski, leader of the Green party in England and Wales, described the bans as “grim”.
Uygur criticised both the UK and Israeli governments, saying: “The mighty United Kingdom is afraid of speech that shows you who’s responsible for … war crimes.” Ash Sarkar, a journalist due to chair a discussion with Piker, said the decision reflected an “authoritarian turn motivated by Labour’s fear of being called antisemitic”.
