Hasan Piker banned from entering UK by Home Office as 'hateful' far-left American influencers have visas revoked
Far-left American influencer Hasan Piker has been barred from entering Britain after the Home Office deemed his presence "not conducive to the public good".The 34-year-old commentator had been due to appear at the SXSW London festival on June 4 for a panel titled "How the American Left Learned to Speak the Internet".Mr Piker confirmed on social media that his electronic travel authorisation (ETA) had been revoked.He wrote: "The UK has revoked my visa... all at the behest of Israel."The West is betraying 'liberal values' for a genocidal fascist foreign government. Soon we will all become Israel."The commentator has previously faced criticism after saying he would "vote for Hamas over Israel" and describing Orthodox Jews as "inbreds".Mr Piker has also previously said the US "deserved" the 9/11 terror attacks.Last month, he reiterated comments that Hamas was "1,000 times better" than Israel and that he "would vote for Hamas over Israel every single time" during an appearance on Pod Save America.The far-left commentator has previously faced criticism after saying he would 'vote for Hamas over Israel' | GETTYHe has denied being antisemitic, insisting in an interview with Variety that he is simply "anti-Israel".Labour MP David Taylor had called for Mr Piker to be prevented from entering the UK ahead of the event.Mr Taylor said Mr Piker was "not conducive to the public good" and urged the Home Office to revoke his travel authorisation.Community Security Trust also called on organisers to "act responsibly" and avoid giving Mr Piker a platform.
POLITICS - READ THE LATEST:
The Home Office also revoked the travel authorisation of left-wing activist Cenk Uygur, Mr Piker's uncle | GETTYThe Home Office also revoked the travel authorisation of left-wing activist Cenk Uygur, Mr Piker's uncle.Mr Uygur, who had also been due to speak at SXSW London, has previously accused Israel of controlling the United States and described the country as "genocide", "barbaric" and "savage".The move follows a Government decision to block 11 foreign nationals described by Keir Starmer as "far-right agitators" from entering Britain ahead of a Tommy Robinson-led rally in London in May.At the time, a spokesman for the Prime Minister said: "Those who threaten our communities and spread racism have no place on the streets of the UK.The Government blocked 11 foreign nationals described by Keir Starmer as 'far-right agitators' from the UK last month | GETTY"Where individuals pose a threat or seek to spread extremism the Government won’t hesitate to deny entry."Mr Taylor welcomed the decision, saying: "It’s good to see the Home Office take a tough stance against those who pose a serious risk to public order and community cohesion."At a time when antisemitism is at record levels, it is completely inappropriate to give someone with a history of inflammatory rhetoric such a high profile platform.“I hope the Home Secretary will now seriously consider using these powers against other speakers with a history of hateful speech who are set to appear at the festival.”
