Pepsi withdraws as UK festival sponsor after Kanye West backlash

Pepsi has announced it is withdrawing as main sponsor of the Wireless Festival in London this summer after news that Kanye West is to headline the three-day event

The US rapper, now known as Ye, has drawn widespread criticism for antisemitic comments he made in recent years and for which he issued an apology in January.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said earlier that it was “deeply concerning” West was set to headline Wireless.

In comments first reported by the Sun on Sunday, Sir Keir said that West had been booked “despite his previous antisemitic remarks and celebration of Nazism”.

“Antisemitism in any form is abhorrent and must be confronted firmly wherever it appears,” the prime minister said.

“Everyone has a responsibility to ensure Britain is a place where Jewish people feel safe.”

West, 48, was announced earlier this week as the headliner for all three days of the rap and R&B festival in north London in July.

The festival is marketed as Pepsi presents Wireless – the brand was the main sponsor.