Sources close to Stormzy say ‘Free Palestine’ Instagram post was not deleted because of rapper’s work with McDonald’s
Stormzy did not delete an Instagram post in support of Palestinian liberation because of his recent collaboration with McDonald’s, sources close to the rapper have told Sky News.
The 31-year-old grime artist has faced a backlash for removing an old post that said “Free Palestine” after working on a campaign with the fast-food chain.
But sources close to the Vossi Bop rapper exclusively told Sky News that it “is simply not true” that the “archiving” of his Instagram post and the release of the McDonald’s campaign are linked.
Stormzy’s recent McDonald’s partnership packages his “go-to” order as a limited meal option, which the chain has dubbed “The Stormzy Meal” – containing chicken nuggets, fries, BBQ sauce, a Sprite drink, and an Oreo McFlurry.
Stormzy’s collaboration with McDonald’s has caused much controversy with fans – and has been dubbed ‘hypocritical’. Pic: McDonald’s
Critics of Israel called for a global boycott of McDonald’s last year, when McDonald’s Israel announced it donated thousands of free meals to Israel Defence Forces troops fighting in Gaza.
The campaign, led by the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement, dented sales at McDonald’s.
Rapper Stormzy performing at Glastonbury in 2019, wearing a bulletproof vest designed by Banksy. Pic: Joel C Ryan/Invision/AP
The deletion of Stormzy’s “Free Palestine” post was part of a “mass archiving effort” last year, the sources close to him add.
They said it was “categorically not” linked to his involvement with McDonald’s.
Sky News has contacted McDonald’s for comment.
Stormzy’s 2018 performance at The Brit Awards was dedicated to the 72 victims of the Grenfell Tower fire. Pic: Joel C Ryan/Invision/AP
The now-removed Instagram post read: “I hope everyone is good, some fleeting thoughts.
“1. Free Palestine
“2. In the future, if there is ever a clear injustice in the world, no matter how big or small, 100 times out of 100 I will be on the side of the oppressed. Unequivocally. As I always have been. Social media is a brilliant way to stand up for what is right, there are also a whole load of other ways to do this.”
After the post was deleted, many of Stormzy’s fans shared that they were “disappointed” by the rapper’s “hypocrisy”.
One person on X criticised Stormzy’s McDonald’s campaign, writing it was done “for a bit of money that you don’t even need”. They added: “You deleted this post to do a McDonald’s commercial.”
The Palestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel (PACBI), a founding member of the BDS movement, said: “Stormzy’s call for Palestinian freedom in the early stages of Israel’s genocide against 2.3 million Palestinians in Gaza, when few artists were speaking out, displayed a clear stance in support of all oppressed people.”
But it added: “Partnering with corporations that are implicated in genocide, apartheid and military occupation can only whitewash those crimes.”
In an open letter to Stormzy, the Peace and Justice Project – founded by former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn in 2021 – also said his work with McDonald’s is “hugely disappointing, especially given the musician’s otherwise proud and solid record in supporting great causes and campaigns for social justice”.
The group added: “We are therefore asking Stormzy to stand in solidarity with the Palestinian people in their hour of need and respect the BDS committee’s call for a global boycott of McDonald’s by ending his new partnership with them.”
Indonesians boycotting McDonald’s in the country in November 2023. Pic: AP
Much of Gaza lies in ruins after Israel’s war to destroy Hamas.
More than 48,000 Palestinians have been killed, according to the Hamas-run Gaza health ministry, which does not differentiate between civilians and combatants in its count.
At least 1,200 people were killed and more than 250 taken hostage when Hamas launched its massacre in Israel on 7 October 2023.
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Stormzy has previously supported several social justice issues – including launching a scholarship to help Black students access top universities and dedicating his Brit Award performance in 2018 to the 72 victims of the Grenfell Tower tragedy.
His Instagram biography tags pro-Palestine rapper Lowkey – inviting fans to click on his account and learn about activists’ calls for Palestinian liberation.
UK
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Two firefighters and a member of the public have died in a large fire in Bicester, the fire service announced.
The firefighters died in the inferno at a former RAF base in Oxfordshire, which now hosts historic motoring and aviation centre Bicester Motion.
The local fire service was called to the scene at 6.39pm last night.
Chief Fire Officer Rob MacDougall said: “It is with a very heavy heart that we today report the loss of two of our firefighters. Families have been informed and are being supported.
“Our thoughts are with them at this most difficult of times and we ask for privacy to be respected.
“We cannot release any details at present but will provide further information as soon as we can.”
Two other firefighters sustained serious injuries and are currently being treated in hospital, Oxfordshire County Council said in a statement.
Footage shared on social media shows plumes of smoke billowing into the sky and flames swallowing the large building.
Clouds of smoke from the fire were billowing into the sky last night. Pic:@kajer87X
Two firefighters and one other person died in the fire, while two more firefighters were seriously injured. Pic: PA
Ten fire crews attended the incident, with four remaining at the scene. The fire is still ongoing, but it is considered under control.
Local residents were advised to remain indoors and keep their windows shut, but this advice has now been lifted.
Bicester Motion said in a statement it would be closed today and over the weekend.
The cause of the fire is not yet known.
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