The United Kingdom has come under fire from free speech advocates after barring two left-wing American political commentators from entering the country for scheduled speaking events. Cenk Uygur, host of the online talk show The Young Turks, and Hasan Piker, a popular streamer, were both set to appear at SXSW London. Uygur additionally had plans to speak at an event organized by Oxford University students.
Home Office Decision
The Home Office confirmed that the electronic travel authorizations (ETA) for both men had been revoked, stating that their presence in the UK “may not be conducive to the public good.” The decision has drawn sharp criticism from civil liberties groups and politicians alike.
Accusations of Antisemitism
Uygur has faced accusations of promoting antisemitic tropes in his critiques of Israel. He denies these charges, insisting his commentary focuses on Israeli influence over U.S. policy. On Monday, he remarked, “The mighty United Kingdom is afraid of speech that shows you who’s responsible for … war crimes. But no amount of censorship will get us to stop telling the truth.”
Piker has also been embroiled in controversy. In a 2019 stream, he reportedly said “America deserved 9/11,” a comment he later apologized for, calling it “inappropriate.” He has also described Hamas as “1,000 times better” than Israel and stated he would “vote for Hamas over Israel every single time.” Piker maintains he is not antisemitic but anti-Israel.
Reactions from Free Speech Groups
Jemimah Steinfeld, chief executive of Index on Censorship, called the bans a “worrying escalation.” She acknowledged the harmful effects of some banned individuals but argued that preventing entry based on the government’s view of public good is paternalistic. “It assumes we are just passive consumers of views rather than people who can think, judge and challenge,” she said.
Akiko Hart, director of Liberty, urged the government to be transparent about its rationale. “Free speech can only exist when we defend it for those we disagree with, as uncomfortable as it may feel,” she stated.
Political and Community Responses
Labour MP David Taylor called for Piker to be barred from speaking, while the Community Security Trust, a Jewish organization, urged SXSW organizers to avoid providing a platform for Piker, citing his “record of promoting rhetoric that includes antisemitic themes.”
Zack Polanski, leader of the Green Party in England and Wales, described the bans as “grim,” warning that they signal a dangerous path. Ash Sarkar, a journalist with Novara Media who was to chair a discussion with Piker, labeled the decision an “authoritarian turn motivated by Labour’s fear of being called antisemitic.”
Previous Appearances
Piker spoke at the Oxford Union last year without intervention from the home secretary. During that event, he warned that antisemitism is “a canary in the coalmine of fascism” and denounced the conflation of antisemitism and anti-Zionism as “dangerous.” Uygur was scheduled to speak at the Oxford Union on Friday, and its president, Arwa Elrayess, expressed deep concern, emphasizing that the union “was founded on a simple principle: that ideas should be challenged through debate, not ignored or silenced.”
Government Stance
The Home Office defended its decision, stating that “decisions to refuse or cancel an ETA on these grounds are based solely on an assessment of the potential risk an individual may pose to UK society.” It noted that individuals could apply for a visa if they still wish to travel.
SXSW, which organizes the London event, previously stated that it brings together a “wide range of speakers with different associations, affiliations and perspectives” and that inclusion does not imply endorsement of all affiliated organizations.
