A Labour MP has called for a prominent US live-streamer to be barred from entering the UK, urging the Home Office to revoke his visa ahead of a scheduled appearance at a London festival.
David Taylor, the MP for Hemel Hempstead, stated that Hasan Piker’s presence would be “not conducive to the public good.”
Mr Piker, a significant online personality with over three million followers on Twitch and more than 1.5 million on X, is listed as a speaker at London SXSW in early June.
He is set to participate in an event titled “How the American Left Learned to Speak the Internet.”
The festival itself champions him as “redefining what political commentary looks like in the digital age,” highlighting that his live streams reach more than 30,000 people daily.
However, the live-streamer has faced considerable backlash over several controversial comments.
In 2019, he reportedly claimed on a livestream that “America deserved 9/11,” a statement he subsequently admitted was “inappropriate.”
Last month, Mr Piker publicly stood by remarks made during an episode of Pod Save America, where he asserted that Hamas was “1,000 times better” than Israel and that he “would vote for Hamas over Israel every single time.”
He said he is not antisemitic but “anti-Israel” in an interview with Variety last year.
Labour MP Mr Taylor said: “It’s shocking that SXSW would invite someone who has openly supported a proscribed terrorist organisation and spouted these kinds of vile antisemitic rants to speak at their festival.
“With the unacceptable rise in antisemitism on our streets leaving British Jews in a constant state of anxiety, Hasan Piker is clearly not conducive to the public good.
“The Home Office must revoke his visa immediately.”
The Jewish community group CST urged organisers to “act responsibly” and not allow the UK to be a “platform” for Mr Piker.
“Hasan Piker has a record of promoting rhetoric that includes antisemitic themes, denial of well documented atrocities and apparent support for extremist groups.
“This is entirely unacceptable, particularly given his large online following.
“At a time of record levels of antisemitism in the UK, it is vital that all institutions, including event organisers, act responsibly and consider the potential impact of this kind of rhetoric.
“The UK should not be a platform for individuals who spread hatred or legitimise extremism.”
Other speakers due at SXSW London include relationship therapist Esther Perel, Chelsea Clinton and Ant & Dec.
The festival did not immediately respond to a request for comment from the Press Association but said in a statement to The Times that the event brings together “a wide range of speakers with different associations, affiliations and perspectives” and that “inclusion in the programme does not imply endorsement of all organisations with whom a speaker may be directly or indirectly affiliated”.
It added: “SXSW London is built as a platform for open exchange across culture, business, creativity and technology, guided by our ethical framework and code of conduct.”
The call to block Mr Piker’s visa comes after Kanye West, who has used Nazi imagery and faced accusations of antisemitism, was barred from travelling to the UK to headline Wireless festival.
The Government also blocked 11 foreign nationals described by Sir Keir Starmer as “far-right agitators” from entering the UK ahead of a Tommy Robinson-led rally in central London earlier this month.
Those claiming to have been barred include Polish politician Dominik Tarczynski, Belgian politician Filip Dewinter, anti-Islam commentator Valentina Gomez and Dutch activist Eva Vlaardingerbroek.
