Ed Sheeran responds following row surrounding Macklemore's departure from tour

Ed Sheeran has issued a statement following the removal of US rapper Macklemore as his tour support act, saying there is a reason he does not use his professional platform for politics.

It comes after Macklemore, whose real name is Benjamin Haggerty, claimed he had been taken off the British star's tour as pro-Palestinian comments he made on stage during a show in New Jersey prompted a backlash online, including from singer Pink.

Now, after receiving criticism himself, a lengthy statement has been issued on Sheeran's official Instagram page. The singer-songwriter said he was "appalled by the conflict between Israel and Palestine" and described the "suffering and pain caused on both sides" as a human tragedy, but said he chooses not to speak about his own views publicly.

"I am not complicit," the statement said. "I have my personal views on this devastating conflict. Just because I choose not to speak publicly, it doesn't mean I don't have them, and it doesn't mean I don't care."

Sheeran said his audiences often include children and young people "from all backgrounds", which is why he does not use the stage for politics.

The statement also said the decision to remove Macklemore from the tour came from the promoter and was not his own.

Following the show at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, venues for upcoming concert dates got in touch to say they would pull the gigs if Macklemore was still involved, Sheeran continued, adding that he was told this stance was based "on how Macklemore conveyed part of his message... rather than on everything that was said".

Macklemore had been supporting Sheeran, 35, on the US leg of his Loop Tour. During the show in New Jersey he said he wanted people in Gaza and the West Bank to know they had not been forgotten, which led to a petition demanding he be removed from the remaining dates.

Pink was among those criticising his actions, writing on Instagram: "Last weekend he stood in front of a stadium full of music-loving families, with violent images from a war on the screens, dedicated a song to the movement of his choice, and then took the mic to tell all of the Jews in the stadium that it wasn't about them.

"You don't get to decide that for us."

The star also said that Palestinians "deserve a future that honours their humanity and their aspirations".

After posting a video of himself on stage during the concert, Macklemore said on social media that "wanting all humans to be treated equal should never be controversial".

On Monday, he confirmed he had been taken off Sheeran's tour, and received support from artists including Kneecap, CMAT and Paloma Faith.

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(c) Sky News 2026: Ed Sheeran responds following row surrounding Macklemore's departure from tour