Richard Kylea Cowie Jr., professionally known as Wiley, has been stripped of his MBE title due to his antisemitic posts on social media in 2020. The grime MC was appointed an MBE for his services to music in 2018. However, the Orders, Decorations and Medals office removed the title due to the posts “bringing the system into disrepute.”
In 2020, Wiley was banned from Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram after posting antisemitic comments, describing Jewish people as “cowards and snakes” and comparing them to the Ku Klux Klan. Wiley was dropped by his manager John Woolf, who expressed his dismay by saying: “I do not support or condone what Wiley has said today online in any way shape or form. This behavior and hateful speech is not acceptable to me.”
Although Wiley apologized in 2020, he refused to distance himself from most of the comments. Following the revoking of Wiley’s title, a spokesperson for Campaign Against Antisemitism shared: “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.”
The Campaign Against Antisemitism petitioned for his title to be stripped, stating that it was “clear that anti-Jewish racists cannot be role models in our society.” According to the BBC, the comments were revisited due to that petition.
Antisemitism has no place in the arts, and is unbecoming of anyone holding an honor. Due to technical reasons, including legal action pursued against Wiley, the forfeiture was delayed. Those facing antisemitism can call the Community Security Trust (CST) on 0800 032 3263 or report online
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