Ed Sheeran tour acts quit after Macklemore dropped

Several supporting acts have said they are quitting Ed Sheeran's “Loop Tour” after rapper Macklemore was dropped following pro-Palestinian comments during a performance.

Swedish activist Greta Thunberg and the activist group Humanti Project criticised Sheeran in an Instagram post late Tuesday, saying: “Ed, there is only one victim here: the Palestinian people.”

Sheeran denied being behind Macklemore's removal. In a post, he said the decision was made by the tour's promoter and that venues had communicated they would pull the shows if Macklemore remained on the bill.

Finneas, Irish acts Aaron Rowe and Beoga, and Denmark's Lukas Graham have posted that they are quitting the tour.

Macklemore shouted “Free Palestine!” and told Palestinians they were “not forgotten” while opening for Sheeran earlier this month at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.

Sheeran said he had chosen not to comment publicly about political subjects, including the war in Gaza, but added: “I am not complicit. I have my personal views on this devastating conflict. Just because I choose not to speak publicly, it doesn't mean I don't care.”