Cenk Uyghur and Hasan Piker, two influential left-wing figures of Turkish-American descent, have been barred from entering the UK just before a planned public appearance. This decision comes after the British government deemed their presence not to be in the “public interest.”
Cenk Uyghur, who runs a broadcasting platform, along with his nephew and livestreamer Hasan Piker, reported that their Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) was revoked only hours prior to their flight to the UK. They were slated to speak at various events, including a panel titled “Techno-feudalism is here. Who is the Lord?” during the South by Southwest London (SXSW London) conference and a discussion in Oxford.
The duo, known for their outspoken far-left views, reacted strongly to the travel ban. Uyghur stated, “I was banned from the UK. I intended to attend SXSW London and speak at Oxford. The ban comes from my criticisms of Israel. Are we free yet? This is how our government oppresses its citizens for another country’s benefit!”
Piker echoed this sentiment, saying, “My visa was also canceled. It seems dictated by… [Israel]. Western nations are sacrificing their so-called ‘liberal values’ for fascist governments abroad.” He expressed concern that soon everyone would be under such influence.
A government spokesperson, as reported by The Times, explained that the ETA cancellation was due to the potential for Uyghur and Piker’s presence to harm public interest, suggesting that their speeches could increase anti-Semitic attitudes in the UK.
This assessment stems from Uyghur’s history of controversial remarks following the October 7 attacks and his views labeling Israel as genocidal. Moreover, reports that Uyghur denied the historical context of grooming gangs contributed to the government’s decision.
Breitbart News has long highlighted issues surrounding grooming gangs in the UK, where predominantly Pakistani Muslim groups have been accused of exploiting vulnerable girls. Such dynamics have created an atmosphere of silence and avoidance, further complicating ethnic tensions in the country.
The government specifically pointed to Uyghur’s remarks from previous appearances, including one on “Piers Morgan Uncensored” in February, where he suggested that discussions about grooming gangs were part of a narrative to distract from other crucial news stories, claiming they served Israeli interests.
During a rant in February, he stated, “When everyone’s focused on the Epstein case involving pro-Israel figures, suddenly discussions about grooming gangs pop up. It’s all a tactic to create diversion from real issues.”
Piker mentioned that his planned events in the UK included discussions with various notable figures, like former Greek finance minister Yanis Varoufakis and Green Party leader Zak Polanski, as well as former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn.
The inquiry around Piker and others revolves around whether they violated U.S. sanctions during a recent trip to Cuba, which the U.S. designates as a state sponsor of terrorism, though they claimed their mission was humanitarian.
Piker expressed his frustration on social media, describing those who supported the subpoena as “fools” and lamenting Democrats’ failures in past elections, particularly against Donald Trump.
Reflecting on his travel ban, Piker commented, “It’s disheartening that Israel’s interests seem to overshadow everything… The UK is undoubtedly aligned with pro-Israel advocacy groups,” and he likened the current political climate to the early 1930s, suggesting a rise in fascism influenced by Israel.
In the UK, Piker is perhaps most remembered for a controversy surrounding a viral clip where he was accused of using an electric shock device on a dog. This has resonated negatively with a culture that deeply values animal welfare.
Uyghur and Piker have previously traveled to the UK for lectures, yet the British government is now implementing stricter measures against “foreign extremists” to mitigate potential civil unrest due to increasing ethnic and religious diversity within the country.
The Sun reported that in March, Home Secretary Shabana Mahmoud initiated a task force meant to prevent “foreign extremists” from entering the UK, aiming to block them at the border.
She emphasized the importance of keeping out individuals whose views could incite hate, stating, “We cannot allow extremists to spread their messages here. We will take every necessary step to ensure the safety of our people.”
Interestingly, many of those recently denied entry have been right-wing figures challenging open borders and mass immigration. For instance, several speakers linked to Tommy Robinson’s events faced similar bans from the Home Office.
