Ed Sheeran’s long-time pal Jordan Stephens brands comeback speech ‘appalling’ amid Palestine row

“It’s very clear that in spite of the fact that Ed is a very kind person and has helped many of these artists with their careers, it was unacceptable how he chose to respond,” Mr Stephens said.

He took particular aim at the language his friend of more than 15 years used in his public statement, saying: “This whole political neutrality, total playing down of what’s happening in Gaza, the use of the word ‘conflict’ in his statement was appalling. It was an appalling statement.”

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Mr Stephens also revealed he had reached out to the 35-year-old privately as events unfolded, adding that he felt “conflicted” about airing their friendship in public.

The dispute erupted on September 4 when Macklemore shouted “Free Palestine” during his set at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, where he was performing as a support act on Mr Sheeran’s tour.

In the aftermath, several US venues refused to allow the 43-year-old rapper to appear on their stages.

Robert Kraft, the 85-year-old New England Patriots owner whose Kraft Group runs Gillette Stadium in Massachusetts, was among those who blocked Macklemore from performing.

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Mr Kraft maintained that his objection was not directed at Palestinian advocacy itself but rather at what he characterised as a pattern of antisemitic rhetoric and imagery from the rapper.

Macklemore has denied being antisemitic.

The tour’s promoter, Messina Touring Group, ultimately pulled Macklemore from all remaining US dates, citing the refusal of multiple venues to have him on the bill.

Mr Sheeran has maintained the call was not his, stating: “Macklemore coming off tour was the promoter’s decision; it was not mine.”

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Mr Stephens argued that the situation had not required Mr Sheeran to take a position on the Israel-Palestine issue, insisting it was simply a matter of loyalty.

“The other thing that bugs me about it as his friend is… the initial ask of him with Macklemore didn’t even require him to take a stance,” he said. “That’s what’s so stupid.”

In Mr Stephens’s view, the A Team singer needed only to refuse to continue performing if his fellow artist was being dropped from the bill.

“All he had to do was have a backbone and say, ‘I’m not going to carry on playing if you’re taking one of my mates off,'” Mr Stephens said.

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“Why have you booked Macklemore if you’re not willing to stand by him?”

He also insisted that Mr Sheeran’s stature gave him considerable leverage, saying: “You do have power in that position.”

Mr Stephens was particularly scathing about Mr Sheeran’s attempt to address the backlash on stage in Philadelphia.

“Every time he speaks on stage, it gets worse,” he said. “Like, I can’t. Absolutely. Someone needs to stop him.”

He mocked the fact that Mr Sheeran had relied on a teleprompter for his remarks, saying: “He spoke on stage on the Saturday with a teleprompter, which is a bad start. You know, it would be nice to come from the heart.”

Mr Stephens added that Mr Sheeran had “firstly apologised, then said it’s an incredibly complex situation, which it’s not.”

The Rizzle Kicks star did, however, note that Mr Sheeran had likely endured ‘one of the most hellish weeks’.

“Obviously, it’s my understanding that he’s a human being and money doesn’t provide you with emotional resilience,” he said.

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The fallout extended well beyond Mr Stephens, with several of Mr Sheeran’s other support acts withdrawing from the tour in solidarity with Macklemore.

Charlotte Church and Roger Waters were among the prominent figures who also publicly criticised the Shape of You singer.

Macklemore, meanwhile, has announced a series of Free Palestine benefit concerts in Dublin, Paris and London, kicking off on October 26, with proceeds going to organisations that support the Palestinian people and their movement.

During his Philadelphia appearance, Mr Sheeran told the audience he had never aspired to be “an activist musician” but acknowledged the row had drawn him into a debate about free speech and the Israeli-Palestinian situation.

He condemned the Hamas-led attacks on Israel on October 7, 2023, as “horrific” while describing events in Gaza as “catastrophic and unjustifiable and disproportionate,” and said his concerts should remain “a safe space for everyone.”