UK Home Office Blocks Hasan Piker and Cenk Uygur From Entering Britain

The UK government has revoked the travel authorisation of US broadcaster Cenk Uygur and Twitch streamer Hasan Piker, preventing both from entering the country ahead of SXSW London. Uygur said on X that he had been “banned from the UK” after trying to travel to London to attend the event and speak at Oxford, claiming the move was punishment for criticising Israel. Piker also said on X that his visa had been revoked, and both men are understood to have had their Electronic Travel Authorisations cancelled.

Under UK rules, an ETA can be cancelled if officials believe a person may pose a risk to the public good. Labour MP David Taylor welcomed the decision and said there was “no reason to open our doors” to people who spread hate and division. SXSW London, which is being held in East London’s Shoreditch district, said it was aware the pair could not travel because of Home Office decisions, while stressing that the festival remains committed to diverse voices, open dialogue and more than 800 speakers, artists and screenings.

Piker, who has a large audience on Twitch and is also the nephew of Uygur, was due to appear in a session titled “How The American Left Learned To Speak The Internet.” Uygur was scheduled for a discussion called “Techno-Feudalism Is Here. Who Are The Lords?” Piker has previously drawn criticism for remarks including a 2019 comment that “America deserved 9/11,” which he later said was inappropriate. He has also defended statements praising Hamas over Israel and has said he is “anti-Israel,” while denying he is antisemitic.

The decision has sparked strong political reaction. The Community Security Trust, a Jewish organisation, welcomed the move and said there must be consequences when public figures cross into hate speech. It said Piker’s rhetoric had gone beyond legitimate criticism of Israel and had included antisemitic themes. By contrast, Green Party leader Zack Polanski called the visa denials “a really grim decision,” warning that Britain was already moving toward a dangerous place if a Labour government was silencing criticism of Israel. Liberty, the human rights group, also criticised the government and said any restrictions on speech must meet high legal standards and be explained transparently.

The Times reported that the case against Uygur involved concerns about antisemitic tropes, including claims that Israel controls America, as well as comments he made about grooming gangs during an appearance on Piers Morgan’s YouTube show. The UK has recently taken a tougher line on several high-profile figures, including blocking Kanye West, now known as Ye, earlier this year after officials said his presence would not be conducive to the public good. The government also barred 11 foreign nationals described by Prime Minister Keir Starmer as far-right agitators ahead of a Tommy Robinson-linked rally in London last month.