Whither Freedom of Speech?

By Dr Upul Wijayawardhana

We live in an era when it is becoming increasingly difficult to separate the truth from fiction. One may have assumed that advances in science and technology would make it easier for us to do so, but just the opposite has happened. Mainstream media have always been guilty of giving a slight slant to the truth to advance their agendas, but there were hardly any gross distortions of the truth. However, with the advent of social media and readily available broadcast sites like YouTube, truth has become a victim! In addition to the absence of statutory controls unlike in the case of the mainstream media, the sheer volumes of information disseminated by these sites make it almost impossible to monitor.

Rather surprisingly, it is not only individuals who are guilty of suppressing the truth; even international organisations are resorting to this tactic to suit the agendas of powerful nations bent on suppressing small nations. The most glaring example of this comes from none other than the United Nations itself: the supposed to be guardian of fairness! The disgraceful behaviour of the former Secretary General Ban Ki-moon defies description. The committee he appointed, the findings of which he endorsed, accuses Sri Lanka of many crimes but does not allow evidence to be challenged. In fact, Sri Lanka is denied even the right to examine the evidence. Everything is cloaked in secrecy for thirty years! In a court of law, the prosecution is obliged to provide the defence with all available data and has the right to challenge witnesses to check veracity. However, Ban Ki-moon’s UN is a law unto itself and we call it a Kekille judgement!

The right to freedom of speech at least allows us to vent our frustrations. However, it is much more important being a cornerstone of a civilised society. Not all of us think alike and we should be able to put our own points of view across but, unfortunately, pressure groups attempt increasingly to curtail free speech. Anyone questioning their views is ridiculed in social media and attempts are made to rewrite history. They forget that what is important is to learn from history rather than trying to rewrite it to suit their agendas. Of course, free speech should not mean the ability to state freely the absurd, profane and the obnoxious! It should be done within accepted norms.

The latest to join the brigades of suppression of free speech is a bank! No, it is not a bank in Sri Lanka; nor in one of the so-called totalitarian societies. Even more surprisingly, it is a bank in good old Blighty! A bank used by the Royalty! Coutts, based in London having three crowns as its logo, was started in 1692 and is the eighth oldest bank in the world. Often referred to as ‘The Queen’s Bank’, at least till last September, it serves the rich and famous. However, it is owned by the ‘high-street bank’ NatWest, which itself used to be a subsidiary of the Royal Bank of Scotland, which had to be saved from collapse by the tax-payer in 2008. It was one of the biggest banks in the world, considered too big to allow it to collapse, and has cost the British Exchequer £35.5 billion up to now. 39% of the shares are owned by the British Government. It may be the shame of that colossal failure, that RBS is now trading behind the name of its former subsidiary, NatWest!

In late June, Coutts decided to close the account of the British politician and broadcaster Nigel Farage as his views did not align with their values! True, banks can close accounts of crooks and racketeers but Farage is not one of those. Farge evokes strong emotions and is like Marmite; some love him and others hate him but even those who hate him for his views, do not consider him a crook. Therefore, Coutts has added a new dimension to banking; we close your accounts if you do not think like us! Is this not suppression of free speech?

Farage, perhaps, should be considered ‘The Father of Brexit’ as it was the train of events that he set in motion that led to the UK withdrawing from the European Union on 31 January 2020. He was a Member of the European Parliament from 1999 till Brexit and was the first person to expose waste and corruption of various branches of the European Union. Further, having sensed the direction of total integration the EU was heading, he wanted ‘independence’ for the UK and formed the UK Independence Party, of which he was the leader from 2006. As the pace for implementing Brexit was too slow, the crucial referendum being held in June 2016, he formed the Brexit party in 2019 which he led till 2021.

Those with bigger political clout, led by Boris Johnson, started their own campaign running parallel with Farage’s campaign. The combined effort led to the unexpected victory at the Brexit referendum and ‘Remainers’ continue to hate Farage even more than Johnson!

BBC, another flag waver for free speech, stands accused of having connived with Coutts as on 04 July, the day after its business editor was seen at a charity event with Alison Rose, the chief executive officer of Coutts’ owner NatWest, published an article stating that Coutts’ decision on Nigel Farage’s account did not involve considerations about his political views, stating “Nigel Farage fell below the financial threshold required to hold an account at Coutts, the prestigious private bank for the wealthy, the BBC has been told.” They did not name the source but, considering the timing, suspicion fell at the highest level and was considered by many a serious breach of client confidentiality. Further, Farage maintained that at “no point” had Coutts given him a minimum threshold.

Undaunted, Farage submitted a subject access request to Coutts, forcing out a 40-page document which he released to the press. This internal document from the bank, which contained minutes from a meeting of the bank’s Wealth Reputational Risk Committee, describes Farage as a “disingenuous grifter” who promoted “xenophobic, chauvinistic and racist views” and states “his views were at odds with our position as an inclusive organisation” with “risk factors including controversial public statements which were felt to conflict with the bank’s purpose”. Interestingly, it states that financially his account’s “economic contribution is now sufficient to retain on a commercial basis”. It refers repeatedly to Brexit, Trump and also Djokovic with known opposition to Covid vaccination!

The release of this document caused a furore, earning universal condemnation for the actions of Coutts’ from the Prime Minister downwards. I am sure most politicians were more concerned that ‘Freedom of Speech’ seems increasingly a farce in the UK!

On 20 July, Dame Alison Rose wrote a letter of apology to Farage and a cynic’s view is that she did this to save her job rather than to express her regret for the injustice to Farage! Interestingly, she states that the documents prepared for the Wealth Reputation Risk Committee “do not reflect the view of the bank”!

On 21 July, BBC changed the title of the original news item with a correction and on 24 July chief executive of BBC News and the business editor apologised to Farage. The following day, Alison Rose was forced to admit that it was she who had given information to BBC but said she was under the impression that she was just reiterating what was common knowledge! At this stage, the chairman of the NatWest group stepped in to say that though she had made a serious error of judgement, her continuing services are needed for the benefit of shareholders and hints that she could be punished by other means, perhaps reducing the annual bonus! However, following an emergency board meeting, Alison Rose resigned in the early hours of 26th morning.

It is rumoured that the resignation was due to government pressure. The city minister, who oversees financial institutions stated, “It’s not the job of the bank to tell us what to think or what political party we should support.” Freedom of speech seems to have got a reprieve!

British government is hurrying up with legislation to protect bank customers, which is yet another achievement of Farage, whilst Coutts, the Queen’s bank, is eating humble pie!