UK cancels travel authorisations for US commentators Cenk Uygur and Hasan Piker
The UK Home Office cancelled the electronic travel authorisations (ETAs) of US political commentators Cenk Uygur and Hasan Piker, stating their presence in the UK “may not be conducive to the public good.” The two had been scheduled to speak at SXSW London, and Uygur was also due to address an event run by University of Oxford students. Free speech activists criticised the bans as a worrying escalation and called on the government to be transparent about its rationale. Uygur and Piker have both faced accusations of antisemitism; Uygur says his criticism is limited to Israeli influence on US policy, and Piker says he is anti-Israel but not antisemitic. Piker previously apologised for a 2019 comment that “America deserved 9/11.” Labour MP David Taylor and the Community Security Trust urged SXSW to not platform Piker, while Green Party leader Zack Polanski called the bans “grim.” The Home Office said decisions on ETAs are based on an assessment of potential risk and that individuals may apply for a visa if they still wish to travel.
What’s reported
The UK Home Office cancelled the ETAs of Cenk Uygur and Hasan Piker because their presence “may not be conducive to the public good”.
Both men were due to speak at SXSW London; Uygur also had a speaking engagement at a University of Oxford student event.
Jemimah Steinfeld (Index on Censorship CEO) called the bans a “worrying escalation” and said the government is failing to protect free speech.
Akiko Hart (Liberty director) called for transparency about why the decisions were made.
Labour MP David Taylor called for Piker to be prevented from speaking.
The Community Security Trust urged SXSW to “act responsibly” regarding Piker.
Zack Polanski (Green Party leader) described the bans as “grim”.
Ash Sarkar (Novara Media journalist) said the ban was evidence of an “authoritarian turn” motivated by Labour’s fear of being called antisemitic.
Arwa Elrayess (Oxford Union president) said the union was “deeply concerned” and that ideas should be challenged through debate.
The Home Office stated decisions are based on risk assessment and that individuals can apply for a visa.
Open questions
The source article does not specify which specific comments or statements led the Home Office to determine that Uygur’s and Piker’s presence “may not be conducive to the public good.”
Key figures
Cenk Uygur, host of The Young Turks online talkshow
Hasan Piker, online streamer
Jemimah Steinfeld, chief executive of Index on Censorship
Akiko Hart, director of Liberty
David Taylor, Labour MP
Zack Polanski, leader of the Green party in England and Wales
Ash Sarkar, Novara Media journalist
Arwa Elrayess, president of the Oxford Union
Sources: The Guardian
