Peers Urge Home Secretary to Bar Macklemore Over Wembley Concert Fundraiser

​LONDON — Fifty members of the House of Lords have formally petitioned Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood to block American rapper Macklemore from entering the United Kingdom, citing national security and public good concerns ahead of his scheduled performance at London’s OVO Arena, Wembley.

​The high-profile push centers on the artist’s upcoming October 30 concert, part of his self-funded “Free Palestine Tour”. According to correspondence spearheaded by Baron Walney—the government’s former adviser on political violence—signatories are urging the Home Office to revoke the musician’s electronic travel authorisation (ETA).

​At the heart of the peers’ objection is the destination of a portion of the concert proceeds. Organisers have earmarked funds raised from the tour for various advocacy groups, including the Palestinian Youth Movement (PYM).

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​The parliamentary letter sharply criticises the PYM, drawing attention to past social media statements following the October 7 attacks in Israel—including a controversial post asserting that “when people are occupied, resistance is justified”. The group has previously faced allegations linking it to militant networks and celebrating extremist activities, though the organisation has denied these claims.

​Defending their hardline stance, the authors of the letter maintained that denying the Grammy-winning artist entry would be a strictly targeted measure rather than a blanket clampdown on free expression.

​”It would not prevent anyone in this country supporting the humanitarian organisations on Mr Haggerty’s list, nor restrict access to his music,” the letter argues, stressing that refusing entry would merely decline a foreign national the privilege of raising funds on British soil for organisations of that nature.

​The controversy follows a turbulent period for the rapper—born Benjamin Haggerty—who launched his independent tour after being dropped from an opening slot on Ed Sheeran’s schedule. That removal came in the wake of outspoken pro-Palestinian remarks delivered mid-performance.

​The “Free Palestine Tour” officially kicked off on October 22 at Colorado’s Red Rocks Amphitheatre, where Haggerty doubled down on his activist rhetoric. Addressing the crowd, he expanded his advocacy beyond Gaza, voicing solidarity with populations affected by conflict and displacement in Sudan, the Congo, Lebanon, and Haiti, alongside critics of U.S. immigration enforcement.

​As of press time, neither the Home Office nor representatives for Macklemore have issued an official statement regarding the peers’ request, leaving the status of next week’s London arena show subject to government review.