Macklemore faces call for UK ban before pro-Palestine gig supporting group that ‘tried to justifiy October 7’

Macklemore, whose real name is Benjamin Hammond Haggerty, announced all three dates sold out within moments of going on sale.

He said the concerts were “another reminder of how many people across the world are standing together for a free Palestine”.

However, 50 members of the House of Lords have now called on Shabana Mahmood to prevent him from entering Britain to attend his show at the OVO Arena Wembley on October 30.

The cross-party group of peers signed a letter seen by The Telegrapg urging the Home Secretary to revoke the musician’s electronic travel authorisation, arguing his presence in the country would not be “conducive to the public good”.

Macklemore has pledged to donate his tour proceeds to the Palestinian Youth Movement, prompting the request led by Baron Walney, who previously served as the Government’s adviser on political violence.

The Palestinian Youth Movement is an anti-Israel organisation which has been accused of glorifying terrorism and attempting to justify the Hamas attacks of October 7, 2023.

Just days after 1,200 people were massacred in Israel, the group has posted on social media “when people are occupied, resistance is justified”.

On the first anniversary of the attacks, PYM published an article characterising October 7 as “a prison break”.

However, PYM denies allegations of celebrating terrorism and having links to terrorist organisations.

In their letter, the peers wrote: “A foreign national proposes to come to Britain to raise money, from a British audience, for an organisation whose record of glorifying terrorism and of intimidating elected representatives should concern any government.

“A refusal would be proportionate and narrowly targeted. It would not prevent anyone in this country supporting the humanitarian organisations on Mr Haggerty’s list, nor restrict access to his music.

“It would simply decline to grant a foreign national the privilege of raising funds on British soil for an organisation of this kind.”

Signatories include Baron Pickles of Brentwood, the former Conservative Party chairman; Baroness Foster of Aghadrumsee, the one-time Northern Irish first minister; and Baron Brady of Altrincham, who formerly chaired the 1922 Committee.

Baron Goldsmith, Baron Pannick KC and the historian Baron Roberts of Belgravia also added their names.

Macklemore launched his new tour after Ed Sheeran removed him from his US tour in September for leading pro-Palestine chants during two performances at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.

Robert Kraft, the billionaire owner of Gillette Stadium, demanded he be removed from future shows after the stunt.

Other support acts backed out in solidarity, including Finneas, Aaron Rowe, Lukas Graham, and backing band Beoga.

The saga saw Mr Sheeran tearfully apologise onstage for “mistakes” after what he called the “worst week of my life”.

GB News has approached PYM and Macklemore’s representatives for comment.

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