Tommy Robinson backs Ed Sheeran as Paloma Faith and Ms Rachel side with Macklemore

Far-right activist Tommy Robinson and former Culture Club star Boy George have come out in support of Ed Sheeran as the British singer's US tour faces cancellation over rapper Macklemore's removal.

Sheeran, the enormously successful British pop star, has been plunged into the biggest crisis of his career over Macklemore being dropped from his US tour as a supporting act earlier this week - allegedly over pro-Palestinian comments he made while on stage.

According to Macklemore, the American billionaire Robert Kraft, who owns the New England Patriots and Gillette Stadium, threatened to block Sheeran and his team from using his stadium - and rally other stadium owners to do the same - over Macklemore's involvement.

Kraft is an avowed supporter of Israel and once led a group of Hall of Fame American footballers on a tour of Israel, on which he met Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Over the past two days Sheeran's other four supporting acts have quit over Macklemore's removal, as has Sheeran's band - leading to speculation that the unfortunate star may be forced to cancel his tour entirely.

Sheeran has received little public backing from his friends and fellow celebrities, some of whom have praised Macklemore instead.

But strong support for the singer has come from elsewhere.

Tommy Robinson, the prominent British far-right activist whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, posted on X: "I support @edsheeran , fuck Palestine."

Robinson, a convicted criminal known for his anti-Muslim rhetoric, added: "Barrassin [embarassing] all im seeing on socials from middle class brats who live in suburbia".

Meanwhile, the singer Paloma Faith criticised Sheeran and questioned his claim that he does not bring politics into his performances.

Sheeran said on Tuesday: "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."

He added that his audience did come to his concerts expecting a "political forum".

But Sheeran has previously expressed support for Ukraine against the Russian invasion in concerts.

YouTube star Ms Rachel, American politician Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Senator Bernie Sanders, climate activist Greta Thunberg and others have criticised the decision to drop Macklemore.

On the other hand the singer Boy George, a passionate defender of Israel, threw his support behind Sheeran and condemned Macklemore for "turning an ancient conflict into a photo op".

Sheeran won further support from the British culture secretary, Lisa Nandy, who said she had "enormous sympathy" for the singer and that she hoped "it doesn't harm his tour".

'No neutral position between the oppressor and the oppressed'

But long-time collaborators of Sheeran have turned against him, including his supporting acts.

Finneas, a Grammy-winning musician and brother to singer Billie Eilish, was one of the supporting acts who withdrew from Sheeran's tour.

So did Irish singer-songwriter Aaron Rowe, who has described Sheeran as a friend who "changed my life".

The Irish folk group Beoga, who have been performing with Sheeran at every concert, withdrew as well.

Macklemore - whose real name is Benjamin Haggerty - announced on Wednesday he would donate the $1m he earned on Sheeran's tour to Palestinian aid groups, challenging the billionaire Kraft to match his donation.

Sheeran then said he would donate $2m to aid in the region, although he was vague about where exactly the money would go.

Kraft added that he would "match his [Sheeran's] donation to aid in the region to fight this humanitarian crisis".

The international row was first triggered by Macklemore's performances of his song Hind's Hall, which condemns Israel's genocide in Gaza.

Macklemore was filmed declaring "Free Palestine" on stage and addressing Jewish fans, saying: "Criticism of Israel, criticism of apartheid, being against genocide, is in no way a criticism of you."

His vocal support for Palestine led American pro-Israel groups to demand the US rapper's removal from the tour.

Macklemore alleged that Kraft "rallied some of the other stadium owners and collectively they gave [Sheeran] an ultimatum: if Macklemore stays on the tour, you will not be allowed to play in our venues."

The rapper declared in an Instagram post: "Taking a side can cost you. Money, brand deals, sponsorships, festivals, private shows, relationships and access. I’ve lost all of those things. But there is no neutral position between the oppressor and the oppressed."

Sheeran then said in an Instagram post that "Macklemore coming off tour was the promoter’s decision, it was not mine".

He explained: "I would never let down the fans who had made plans, nor would I abandon the touring crew and the other support acts and musicians who rely on me for work."

His statement came shortly before his supporting acts withdrew, throwing the future of Sheeran's tour into question.