Exclusive: UJS accuses NUS of issuing ‘simply untrue’ statement about rapper Lowkey

The Union of Jewish Students have accused the National Union of Students of issuing a statement that was “simply untrue” about rapper and conspiracy theorist Lowkey’s planned appearance at a centenary party.

When confronted last week about a series of online adverts that appeared to suggest Lowkey would be amongst the headline acts at the 28 March NUS 100 party, the student body issued a statement saying he was merely speaking at a Liberation conference event on March 30.

But Jewish News understands that Nina Freedman, the current UJS president, emailed the NUS president Larissa Kennedy on Monday, to suggest the statement they put out was “simply untrue.”

The UJS president added: “We know for a fact that Lowkey was invited to perform at the NUS 100 party.

“To frame this simply about the Liberation conference seems intentionally misleading. Do you have a statement about his performance at your flagship centenary celebration?”

In the email to Kennedy, Freedman added: “Furthermore, it was Lowkey himself who you claim pulled out, leaving me deeply concerned that still to this moment, NUS see no issue whatsoever with his comments about 9/11, his statements on Ukraine, his attacks on Jewish students and staff of UJS, his support for Chris Williamson, his support for David Miller. The list does seem to go on.”

Freedman also criticised the NUS’s claim that “misinformation” was being used against Lowkey.

And she attacked the decision to involve Lowkey in their decolonisation campaign, stating: “You also write that ‘his contribution would have been invaluable to students’ discussions on decolonising education, class injustice, and divesting from companies that harm people and planet globally’ but do not acknowledge the danger posed by his conspiratorial views.

“Do you value his input on these issues more than you value the truth about 9/11, the war in Ukraine, and many other issues?”

The email urged NUS “to release a simple statement that clarifies the truth of the matter – that Lowkey was invited to perform at your centenary, apologising to Jewish Students for the hurt caused by inviting him, and making it clear that NUS stands in solidarity with Jewish students, with Ukrainian students, and explicitly standing with UJS against a man who has spread vicious lies about your only affiliated organisation.”

Jewish News understands that Kennedy, and other NUS official are yet to respond.