LONDON - Wireless Festival has been cancelled after headliner Kanye West was blocked from coming to the UK. The government refused permission for West,...

now known as Ye, to travel to the UK after backlash to his planned set at the London festival this summer. For the last several years, West has caused outrage for a string of antisemitic, racist and pro-Nazi comments. In a statement, Wireless Festival said: "The Home Office has withdrawn Ye's ETA, denying him entry into the United Kingdom. As a result, Wireless Festival is cancelled and refunds will be issued to all ticket holders." It continued: "As with every Wireless Festival, multiple stakeholders were consulted in advance of booking Ye and no concerns were highlighted at the time. "Antisemitism in all its forms is abhorrent, and we recognise the real and personal impact these issues have had. As Ye said today, he acknowledges that words alone are not enough, and in spite of this still hopes to be given the opportunity to begin a conversation with the Jewish community in the UK." Presale tickets for Wireless Festival were released at midday on Tuesday and are believed to have sold out, while the general sale was due to open at midday on Wednesday. "How did it come to this? Apparently 'no concerns were highlighted' about Kanye West at the time of the booking. Who were they consulting? A wall? That's what happens when the only stakeholders you speak to are those who stand to make a profit. The group added: "It's nice that now Wireless is saying 'Antisemitism in all its forms is abhorrent' when just a few hours ago the festival promoter was saying we all need to forgive Kanye for declaring himself a full-blown Nazi only recently." The organisation had earlier said that the government had made the "right decision" by stopping West coming to the UK. (BBC)