UK pro-Palestine figures report being cut off from banking services
A growing number of pro-Palestine voices in the UK, including the mother of a Palestine Action prisoner, politician George Galloway, and left-wing outlet The Canary, say they have been denied banking services. Lloyds Bank refused a mortgage to Emma Kamio citing 'adverse media', while Galloway's account was closed after 39 years without explanation. The trend has sparked concerns about financial discrimination against those speaking out on Palestine.
Emma Kamio, a small business owner, faced a mortgage refusal in April, while her daughter's bank accounts were closed in February 2025, before Palestine Action was officially banned and before her conviction for damaging an Elbit Systems facility. George Galloway's long-standing account with Bank of Scotland was shut after 39 years, disrupting his pension and housing payments.
The Canary, a left-wing outlet, also lost its banking services in late June, and writer Tariq Ali reported a blocked transfer. Campaign group Cage stated it was debanked over a decade ago, indicating a prolonged pattern. Additionally, more than 2,700 individuals have been arrested under terrorism legislation at related rallies since the group's proscription.
The reported closures could create a chilling effect on political expression, as individuals and small media outlets may face severe financial disruption for their views. This trend may disproportionately affect those involved in contentious activism, potentially limiting the diversity of public discourse. If banks apply opaque risk assessments, it could erode trust in financial institutions and prompt calls for clearer regulatory oversight regarding how political opinions are weighed in banking decisions.