UK revokes travel authorisation for political commentator Cenk Uygur

“UK revokes travel authorisation for political commentator Cenk Uygur Submitted by MEE staff on Mon, 06/01/2026 - 06:18 The Young Turks founder says the move was retaliation for criticism of Israel Britain’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood at a Community Security Trust event in London, 16 October 2025. (Carlos Jasso/AFP) Off Turkish-American political commentator Cenk Uygur said he has been barred from entering the United Kingdom after authorities revoked his travel authorisation ahead of planned events in London and Oxford this week. Uygur, founder and host of the online news and commentary network The Young Turks, said on social media that he was prevented from boarding a flight to London and accused British authorities of acting because of his criticism of Israel . "I've been banned from the UK," Uygur wrote. "I tried to get on a flight to London to attend SXSW London and give a speech at Oxford. I've been banned for criticizing Israel." The Times reported that UK home secretary Shabana Mahmood cancelled Uyghur's Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) after determining that his presence in Britain would not be "conducive to the public good." The newspaper reported that the decision was based on several factors, including concerns that Uygur's rhetoric since the 7 October 2023 Hamas attack on Israel could contribute to antisemitism and community tensions. Uygur has repeatedly criticised Israel's military campaign in Gaza and described its actions as genocide. Political commentator and Twitch streamer Hasan Piker, Uygur's nephew, said on social media that British authorities had also revoked his visa. "The UK has revoked my visa as well," Piker wrote, alleging the decision was made "at the behest of Israel". Piker is also scheduled to appear at SXSW London this week. South by Southwest (SXSW) is an annual film and music event. The move comes as the UK home secretary's office increases scrutiny of foreign speakers seeking to enter Britain. In April, the government launched a task force aimed at blocking individuals deemed a threat to public order and preventing them from travelling to the country. The same month, the UK banned a prominent American Muslim preacher, Dr Shadee Elmasry, from entering the country over social media posts in which he criticised the West's support for Israel. Mahmood revoked travel authorisation for Elmasry just days before he was scheduled to arrive in Britain, to give talks in Birmingham, Bolton and Ilford. The preacher and scholar, who said his message "has always been about compassion and connection", was banned after a social media post was circulated on X, which he wrote a day after the 7 October 2023 Hamas attack on Israel . Elmasry had posted: "They are all in this (fake or real) state of shock that the people of Gaza finally punched back (after 50 years). Media News Post Date Override 0 Update Date Mon, 05/04/2020 - 21:19 Update Date Override 0

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