Become a Member
News

EXCLUSIVE: Government committee considering revoking Wiley’s MBE after warrant issued for assault

The artist currently has a warrant for his arrest after failing to appear in court

October 8, 2021 17:32
wiley PA-43074238
Wiley with the Ivor Inspiration Award during the Annual Ivor Novello Songwriting Awards at Grosvenor House in London.
1 min read

The government’s Forfeiture Committee has confirmed that they are monitoring the outcomes of several criminal cases against Wiley to determine whether to strip him of his MBE. 

The rapper (real name Richard Cowie) had a warrant issued for his arrest last week after failing to attend a court hearing in relation to charges of assault and burglary. He is accused of breaking into a flat in Newham and assaulting a recording studio owner on 28 August.

In emails seen by the JC, the Forfeiture Committee stated that awards may be revoked if the honours system is ‘brought into disrepute’ such as if an award recipient is sentenced to a prison term of over three months. 

They also confirmed that they were monitoring Wiley’s assault case as well as a separate case in the Netherlands related to his antisemitic social media posts from 2020.