Milo Yiannopoulos' Australian tour cancelled with no refunds
British alt-right commentator Milo Yiannopoulos Source: AAP
Fans of controversial alt-right commentator Milo Yiannopoulos are demanding a refund after his 2018 Australian tour was scrapped.
Milo Yiannopoulos was scheduled to visit Australia for a five-show tour alongside conservative speaker Ann Coulter in December.
The pair was set to discuss the topic "how to save Australia".
But on Monday, tour promoter AE Media emailed ticket holders advising them that "due to unforeseen circumstances" Milo Yiannopoulos' 2018 tour had been cancelled.
Message to ticket holders on the annandmilolive.com.au website.
annandmilolive.com.au
Instead of being offered a refund, fans were told their tickets would be honoured in the form of tickets to see the joint speaking tour of British conservative personality Tommy Robinson and self-descibed "western chauvinist" Gavin McInnes.
Mr Yiannopoulos confirmed the news in a post on Facebook and Instagram.
"Yesterday, I woke up to the news that my Australian tour with Ann had been cancelled and the promoter was “transferring” tickets to another series of events," he wrote.
"This is illegal. If you’re a ticket holder and want a refund, they are obliged to give you one and I will make sure that happens."
Milo Yiannopoulos Facebook post.
Facebook
Angry fans took to social media to demand a refund and to criticise the decision to cancel the tour.
"How dare they presume to substitute you and Ann with other speakers and not offer a refund up front," fan Karen Lalic wrote on Facebook.
Another fan, Riannon Parkins wrote: "Me and my partner waited 8 months to see you and now we a devastated about it being cancelled."
"I can’t believe they are doing this, purposely trying to ruin a man’s (and woman’s) livelihood in this way. And trying to keep the Truth from getting out," fan Laura Merkel wrote.
Milo Yiannopoulos' 2017 Australian tour was met with riots and left with a $50,000 police security bill, which promoters refused to pay.
He was permanently banned from Twitter for harassing actress Leslie Jones and has been linked to neo-Nazis and white supremacists.
The alt-right commentator said he was working to ensure all fans had their tickets refunded.
"I’m working with lawyers now to make sure the promoters fulfill their obligations to you. And I will be touring in Australia in 2019 instead, with a more established promoter," Mr Yiannopoulos said.
"I’m committed to you, Aussies, which is why I’m writing a book about your great country, which will be out before Christmas."
AAP
Tickets transferred
Ticket holders were told their tickets to see the Ann and Milo tour would be replaced with tickets to "The Deplorables" tour featuring Gavin McInnes and Tommy Robinson.
Gavin McInnes is the leader of American group 'Proud Boys', which is known to glorify violence and is only open to men.
More than 37,000 people have signed a petition to stop Gavin McInnes from entering Australia ahead of the scheduled tour.
Tommy Robinson, who will be joining Gavin McInnes on tour, was recently jailed over contempt of court charges.
It's been reported that fans who don't want to see "The Deplorables" tour will have access to a refund.
In a follow-up email to ticket holders on Wednesday, fans were told refunds may "take some time" because promoters have to "recoup fees from suppliers."
