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Liam Payne accused of betraying LGBT and female fans after cashing in on Saudi Arabia gig


The Strip That Down singer, who split with X Factor girlfriend Cheryl last year, will headline Jeddah World Fest on July 18.

The gig, which also contains performances from DJ Steve Aoki and R3WIRE & Varski MC, kicks off at 5:45pm UK time.

Organised by the Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the gig is widely seen as a PR exercise for the controversial Saudi Royal Family.

The country, whose government is led by the monarch King Salman, has some of the worst LGBT rights records in the world.

As well as LGBT rights not being recognised in the country, but all same-sex sexual activity is illegal.

In April this year five men were executed after admitting they had had sex with other men.

Saudi Arabia also has limited woman’s rights.

Despite this Liam, 25, will press on and perform in the country, despite fellow superstar Nicki Minaj dropping out after realising the backwards nature of the regime.

In a statement Nicki said: “After careful reflection I have decided to no longer move forward with my scheduled concert at Jeddah World Fest.

Liam Payne

SLAMMED: Liam Payne has been slammed by fans after signing up to the gig (Pic: GETTY)

Liam payne

BACKLASH: Fan have raged at Liam’s decision to still perfrom at the event (Pic: GETTY)

“Liam Payne won’t pull out of Saudi Arabia gig for gross violations of human rights but he will pull out his a** to distract from it”

Angry fan

“While I want nothing more than to bring my show to fans in Saudi Arabia, after better educating myself on the issues, I believe it is important for me to make clear my support for the rights of women, the LGBTQ community and freedom of expression.”

Urging Bedroom Floor singer Liam to rethink his actions, Human Rights Foundation said: “This is what leadership looks like.

“We are grateful to Nicki Minaj for her inspiring and thoughtful decision to reject the Saudi regime’s transparent attempt at using her for a public relations stunt.

“The July 18 festival in Saudi Arabia still shows Liam Payne as a performer. We hope that he follows Nicki Minaj’s lead.

“Minaj’s moral stance differs from celebrity performers like J-Lo and Mariah Carey who in the past have chosen to line their pockets with millions of dollars and stand with dictatorial governments as opposed to with oppressed communities and imprisoned human rights activists.”

Writing in an open letter to the One Direction, they added: “Mr Payne, you are well known for speaking up about your support for women’s rights.

“You recently wrote on Instagram that the legislation around abortion in Alabama is ‘completely taking away the rights of women and the ownership of the bodies that belong to them’.

“You also expressed your solidarity with the LGBTQ community.

Liam Payne

CONTROVERSIAL: Human Rights activists have begged Liam to pull out of the show (Pic: GETTY)

Nicki Minaj

DROP OUT: Nicki Minaj pulled out of the gig after seeing the country’s human rights record (Pic: GETTY)

Liam payne

SILENCE: Liam Payne is yet to address the anger circulating online (Pic: GETTY)

“If you move forward with this performance for a festival sponsored by the Crown Prince, you will be in league with the people who respond to freedom of expression and thought with murder.”

Turing on the singer, fans have flocked to Twitter to rant about Liam’s decision to perform.

One fan fumed: “Liam Payne won’t pull out of Saudi Arabia gig for gross violations of human rights but he will pull out his a** to distract from it.”

Another said: “Are you crazy? Saudi Arabia is not a country that you go. Cancel the tour.”

Liam Payne

TOO FAR? Liam has been accused of turning his back on the LGBT community (Pic: GETTY)

Liam payne

SUPERSTAR: Liam Payne is one of the biggest stars in the world (Pic: GETTY)

“Pull out of the Saudi Arabia concert,” a third begged.

“Boycott Saudi Arabia please Liam Payne. The Saudi family are monsters,” a fourth warned.

A fifth vented: “Liam Payne Saudi Arabia is slaughtering people in Yemen with American money.

“But hey, a paycheque is a paycheque right? Who needs principle and a conscience when you have tons of money.”

A rep for Liam Payne declined to comment.



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