Wiley’s MBE is under review after antisemitic rant, Cabinet Office confirms
Calls to revoke rapper’s MBE came amid public backlash to antisemitic tweets
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Wiley’s MBE is officially under review following his antisemitic rant on social media last month, confirms the Cabinet Office.
The rapper – real name Richard Cowie – was permanently suspended from Twitter after sharing a series of antisemitic posts in July. In them, he described Jewish people as “cowards and snakes” and made comparisons to the Ku Klux Klan. He also made reference to a number of antisemitic conspiracy theories.
Amid the backlash, there were calls from the public for Wiley to be stripped of his MBE. The Campaign Against Antisemitism (CAA) also called on the Cabinet Office to revoke the honour from the musician.
In a letter from the Cabinet Office, it was confirmed that the Honours Committee had launched an investigation into Wiley’s actions.
The letter said that the Honours Forfeiture Committee “is able to consider cases for a variety of reasons,” including “being found guilty of a criminal offence” and “behaviour that is deemed to bring the honours system into disrepute”.
Wiley was appointed an MBE in the 2018 New Years Honours for his services to music.
In a separate Parliamentary petition, the CAA is asking for “racists to be stripped of their honours automatically”. So far the petition has received nearly 1,500 signatures of a 10,000 signature target.
Wiley spoke with Sky News in the wake of his tweets. In the interview, he denied being racist but apologised for “generalising”.
The 41-year-old grime artist also said that he will hand back his MBE. “Take it back. I’ve never had it in my possession except for a picture outside Buckingham Palace,” he claimed.
He continued, “Now who’s the MBE for, really? Don’t think I was sitting there like ‘Where’s my MBE? Where’s my OBE? I need my knighthood. Where’s my Richard Branson? No.”
Enjoy unlimited access to 100 million ad-free songs and podcasts with Amazon Music
Sign up now for a 4 month free trial (3 months for non-Prime members)
Enjoy unlimited access to 100 million ad-free songs and podcasts with Amazon Music
Sign up now for a 4 month free trial (3 months for non-Prime members)
A spokesperson for the rapper’s former manager John Woolf confirmed that Wiley’s MBE is in Woolf’s possession, waiting to be collected by the rapper.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments