Wiley officially stripped of MBE for antisemitic posts

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Wiley has officially been stripped of his MBE after sharing antisemitic posts on social media in 2020.

The grime MC – real name Richard Kylea Cowie Jr. – was appointed an MBE for services to music in 2018 — however the Orders, Decorations and Medals office has now removed the title due to the posts “bringing the system into disrepute”

In 2020, the artist was banned from Twitter, Facebook and Instagram after posting antisemitic comments describing Jewish people as “cowards and snakes” and likening them to the Ku Klux Klan.

At the time, Wiley was also dropped by his manager John Woolf who said according to the BBC: “I do not support or condone what Wiley has said today online in any way shape or form.

“I am a proud Jewish man and I am deeply shocked and saddened but what he has chosen to say,” he added, “this behaviour and hateful speech is not acceptable to me.”

In 2020, Wiley apologised sharing with Sky News that he was sorry “for generalising”, however he refused to distance himself from most of the comments.

After his social media ban, Wile created a new Twitter account, which the Campaign Against Anti-Semitism (CAA) said was used to “spout racist hate towards Jews”.

The comments were revisited due to the CAA petitioning for his title to be stripped as it stated that it was “clear that anti-Jewish racists cannot be role models in our society” the BBC reports.

A spokesperson for Campaign Against Antisemitism shared following the revoking of Wiley’s title: “Today’s decision marks the culmination of nearly four years of dogged perseverance. We have worked tirelessly to ensure that Wiley faces ruinous consequences for his unhinged antisemitic tirade, for which he has shown no remorse.

“Antisemitism has no place in the arts, and is unbecoming of anyone holding an honour. We commend the Honours Forfeiture Committee for using its powers to hold Wiley to account. In doing so, it is declaring that anti-Jewish racists cannot be role models in our society.

“Due to technical reasons, including legal action that we are pursuing against Wiley, the forfeiture was delayed. We are grateful to the Honours Forfeiture Committee for its work on this matter.”

Community Security Trust (CST) is a charity that supports British Jews who have faced antisemitism. For anti-semitic incidents you can call CST on 0800 032 3263 or report online.

Becky Buckle is Mixmag’s Multimedia Editor, follow her on Twitter