Paul Weller sues former accountants after being dropped over Gaza statements
In a pre-action letter seen by the PA news agency, lawyers for Weller say the singer-songwriter was told in March that the accountants and tax advisers would no longer work with the 67-year-old or his companies.
According to the letter, a WhatsApp message from a partner at the firm included: 'It's well known what your political views are in relation to Israel, the Palestinians and Gaza, but we as a firm are offended at the assertions that Israel is committing any type of genocide.
'Everyone is entitled to their own views, but you are alleging such anti-Israel views that we as a firm with Jewish roots and many Jewish partners are not prepared to work with someone who holds these views.'
Lawyers for Weller claim that by ending their services, the firm unlawfully discriminated against the singer's protected philosophical beliefs including that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza and that Palestine should be recognised as a nation state.
Weller said: 'I've always spoken out against injustice, whether it's apartheid, ethnic cleansing, or genocide. What's happening to the Palestinian people in Gaza is a humanitarian catastrophe.
'I believe they have the right to self-determination, dignity, and protection under international law, and I believe Israel is committing genocide against them. That must be called out.
'Silencing those who speak this truth is not just censorship – it's complicity.
'I'm taking legal action not just for myself, but to help ensure that others are not similarly punished for expressing their beliefs about the rights of the Palestinian people.'
Weller will donate any damages he receives to humanitarian relief efforts in Gaza, the legal letter also states.
Cormac McDonough, a lawyer at Hodge Jones and Allen, representing Weller, said that his case 'reflects a wider pattern of attempts to silence artists and public figures who speak out in support of Palestinian rights'.
Mr McDonough added: 'Within the music industry especially, we are seeing increasing efforts to marginalise those who express solidarity with the people of Gaza.'
Harris and Trotter have been contacted for comment.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Western Telegraph
28 minutes ago
- Western Telegraph
What is Noel Clarke's libel claim against The Guardian's publisher about?
The Doctor Who actor took legal action against Guardian News and Media (GNM) over several publications, which included claims from multiple women that he had committed misconduct, which he denies. With Mrs Justice Steyn set to hand down her ruling in the case at 10.30am on Friday, here is a look at the key questions around the case. – Who is Noel Clarke? Mr Clarke made his first TV appearance more than 20 years ago in the Channel 4 series Metrosexuality, and gained fame for his roles as Mickey Smith in Doctor Who and Wyman Norris in Auf Wiedersehen, Pet. Noel Clarke arriving at the Royal Courts of Justice in London during the trial (Ben Whitley/PA) He later wrote and starred in the acclaimed film trilogy Kidulthood, Adulthood and Brotherhood, and directed two of them. He won the Bafta rising star award in 2009 and was awarded the outstanding British contribution to cinema prize in April 2021. The second award and Mr Clarke's membership of the academy were suspended after the allegations against him were published by The Guardian. – What is the case about? Mr Clarke is suing GNM over seven articles and a podcast, including an article in April 2021, which said 20 women who knew the actor in a professional capacity had come forward with allegations of misconduct against him. In a statement at the time, Mr Clarke said he 'vehemently' denied 'any sexual misconduct or criminal wrongdoing', but added that he was 'deeply sorry' if some of his actions had affected people 'in ways I did not intend or realise', and vowed to get professional help 'to educate myself and change for the better'. In March 2022, the Metropolitan Police confirmed they would not launch a criminal investigation into the claims. – What was said at trial? Opening Mr Clarke's case at trial on March 7, barrister Philip Williams, for the actor, said The Guardian acted as the 'judge, jury and executioner' of Mr Clarke's career. Noel Clarke arrives at the Royal Courts of Justice in January for a hearing in his libel claim against the publisher of The Guardian newspaper (Jordan Pettitt/PA) He also said that The Guardian's stories 'had more holes than a colander' and that Mr Clarke 'is absolutely not, and never has been, a sexual predator'. The court in London also heard allegations that 14 of the alleged complainants were involved in a conspiracy and that the journalists involved in the articles were aware. GNM has defended its reporting as both true and in the public interest. Gavin Millar KC, for the publisher, told the court in written submissions that The Guardian 'did not simply accept what was said to it' and that 'much time and resource was devoted to getting to the truth'. He also said that there is 'ample evidence' that all of the articles were true or substantially true. – Who gave evidence? Mr Clarke was the first witness to give evidence in the trial and was cross-examined by lawyers for GNM over several days. He told the court that GNM had 'smashed my life' and that he was 'not what they have branded me', accusing some of the women of lying and labelling one a 'fantasist'. Mr Clarke's wife, Iris Clarke, also gave evidence in support of her husband, as did actress Louise Dylan, who said a claim that Mr Clarke had groped her 'was not true'. The Guardian provided evidence from 16 women who claimed to have experienced Mr Clarke's alleged misconduct, including Gina Powell, who worked at his production company Unstoppable between 2014 and 2017, and actress Jing Lusi, who starred in ITV thriller Red Eye. Jing Lusi was one of several people to give evidence at the trial (Ian West/PA) Others were given pseudonyms to protect their identities, including one named Ivy, who said she felt 'horrified' when she discovered that Mr Clarke had shared private images of her with others. GNM also called journalists to give evidence, including the editor-in-chief of The Guardian, Katharine Viner, who said there was a 'very clear public interest' in publishing the allegations. – What could happen next? Mrs Justice Steyn's ruling will only deal with the issue of liability. If Mr Clarke is successful, he wants to increase his claim for special damages to more than £70 million, and also wants to bring a claim over allegations that multiple people conspired against him using fabricated allegations of misconduct or sexual assault. The case will also progress to dealing with any damages GNM must pay, as well as legal costs. If Mr Clarke loses, he will face paying at least some of GNM's legal costs. The losing side may also seek to appeal against the ruling.
Sky News
an hour ago
- Sky News
Israel to continue with Gaza City offensive despite talks to free Hamas hostages
Israel will resume negotiations with Hamas for the release of all hostages captured during the October 7 attack, Benjamin Netanyahu has said - but its military will continue its Gaza City offensive despite international outcry. The remarks from Israel's prime minister are the first since Hamas agreed to a temporary ceasefire proposal. Talks will also be with a view to ending the war, but Mr Netanyahu said it must be on "terms acceptable to Israel". In the meantime, the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) have begun calling medics and international organisations in northern Gaza to encourage them to evacuate to the south ahead of the expanded operation in Gaza City. Many of Israel's closest allies have urged the government to reconsider. Some Israelis fear it could doom the remaining 20 or so living hostages taken by Hamas-led militants in the 7 October 2023 attack which ignited the war. Israel plans to call up 60,000 reservists and extend the service of 20,000 more. Speaking to soldiers near Israel's border with Gaza, Mr Netanyahu said he was still set on approving plans for defeating Hamas and capturing Gaza City. "At the same time I have issued instructions to begin immediate negotiations for the release of all our hostages and an end to the war on terms acceptable to Israel," he said. "These two things - defeating Hamas and releasing all our hostages - go hand in hand," he added. The latest ceasefire proposal drawn up by Egypt and Qatar is almost identical to an earlier one that Israel accepted before the talks stalled last month. The proposal would include the release of some hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners, a pullback of Israeli forces and negotiations over a lasting ceasefire. 'Don't tell us where to build' Israeli strikes killed at least 36 Palestinians across Gaza on Thursday, according to local hospitals, including at a tent camp in Deir al-Balah. Meanwhile, Israel's ambassador to the UK, Tzipi Hotovely, was summoned to the Foreign Office in response to a controversial West Bank settlement plan which has been given final approval. The project, known as the E1 settlement, would effectively cut off the occupied West Bank from East Jerusalem and divide the territory in two. The UK and 21 international partners have released a statement to condemn the decision "in the strongest terms" calling it "a flagrant breach of international law" and "critically undermining a two-state solution". Ms Hotovely gave Sky News her response to the meeting: "I said we wouldn't tell the British where to build in London. Don't tell us where to build in Jerusalem, our capital. We see E1 as part of Greater Jerusalem." 11:50 UK warns of 'horrifying starvation' The UK has also responded to comments from the head of the UN Palestinian refugee agency UNRWA that famine in Gaza is "deliberate" and being used as an "instrument of war". Minister for the Middle East, Hamish Falconer, has called for a "comprehensive [peace] plan to end this misery and get to a long-term settlement". "Israel must immediately and permanently lift all barriers preventing aid reaching the people of Gaza to prevent the horrifying starvation in the Strip continuing," he added. Demand for Gaza media access The Media Freedom Coalition, which includes the UK and 50 other countries, has called on Israel to allow foreign media access into Gaza. In a joint statement, the coalition, which is a partnership of countries working to defend media freedom, urged Israel to "allow immediate independent foreign media access" and "afford protection for journalists operating in Gaza". They said this was in light of the "unfolding humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza".
Scottish Sun
an hour ago
- Scottish Sun
Scotland takes on record levels of asylum seekers – amid calls for migrant hotel crackdown & protests loom
Glasgow's administration committee met to seek a solution to the mounting crisis 'BREAKING POINT' Scotland takes on record levels of asylum seekers – amid calls for migrant hotel crackdown & protests loom Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A RECORD number of asylum seekers are now staying in Scots hotels, it has been revealed. The Home Office said 6,107 people are bidding for refugee status, double the total a decade ago. And 1,573 are in taxpayer-funded hotels. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 7 A record number of asylum seekers are now staying in Scots hotels Credit: Andrew Barr 7 Susan Aitken told how a 'rainy day' fund used to cope with the surge had now run dry Credit: Les Gallagher 7 Council chiefs in Scotland's biggest city admit they're buckling under the pressure Credit: PA 7 Hampton by Hilton in Westhill now caters for refugees whose claims are being assessed Credit: Newsline Media Council chiefs in Scotland's biggest city admit they're buckling under the pressure of being the UK's asylum seeker capital — and have begged for extra funding. Residents in Glasgow face council tax rises and cuts to public services to plug a £60million budget shortfall as they struggle to accommodate a surge of new refugees. Home Office figures released show asylum applications across the UK in the 12 months to this June hit an all-time high of 111,084. And 3,884 of them were seeking permission to remain in Glasgow, far outstripping the likes of Birmingham, Liverpool and Manchester. The stats sparked concern the city is now a magnet for migrants who gain refugee status down south and are then kicked out of their accommodation. Susan Aitken, leader of the SNP-run council, told how a 'rainy day' fund used to cope with the surge for two years had now run dry. Now senior figures are demanding extra support from both Holyrood and Westminster. Ms Aitken said: 'Glasgow is not only dealing with demand from the UK's largest dispersed population by far but a sizeable number of additional refugees who can't access support elsewhere in the UK.' She added: 'There are people out there who'd seek to exploit this, and indeed are. We see this happening in our communities in front of us.' Glasgow's administration committee met today to seek a solution to the mounting crisis. Migrants to be kicked out of hotel at centre of protests in landmark ruling after asylum seeker's 'sex attack' A source said the local authority will have little option but to raise tax and cut public services to meet a shortfall of more than £60million if the Home Office and Scottish Government do not step in. Deputy leader Ricky Bell said: 'If we don't have a solution, we are facing a very, very difficult budget position for next February.' And chief exec Susanne Millar, who is pleading for Home Office help, said: 'About 94 per cent of the asylum seekers in Scotland are accommodated in Glasgow.' But the threat of cuts to services was slammed by opposition politicians. Tory MSP Annie Wells said: 'SNP councillors in Glasgow need to accept reality. 7 Tory MSP Annie Wells said SNP councillors in Glasgow "need to accept reality" Credit: Getty 7 The Cladhan Hotel in Falkirk was the scene of recent protests Credit: Andrew Barr 7 Protesters from Save Our Future & Our Kids Future demonstrate against uncontrolled immigration Credit: Getty 'Their cash-strapped authority cannot afford to continue with this increasingly expensive policy. 'Citizens are fed up with pothole-plagued roads and filthy streets. They don't want to pay even more in council tax, to get less in return. 'This is after a housing emergency was declared in the city more than 18 months ago.' Ex-Tory councillor Thomas Kerr, who defected in January to Reform UK, hit out: 'Enough is enough. 'Glasgow is at breaking point, the numbers prove it. SNP and Labour have sold out our own people and put others first time and again.' The city received 1,050 homeless applications in 2024/25 from migrants granted leave to remain in the UK. That was up 51 per cent on the previous year. There are now 4,386 mostly migrant households in temporary homeless accommodation in Glasgow, with 1,850 of them in bed and breakfast or hotel accommodation. Elsewhere in the UK, new refugees have 56 days to leave asylum pads if they can't secure onwards lodgings. But many are encouraged to head north by a Scottish Government pledge to accommodate all homeless people. Top 10 UK Councils for Asylum Seekers Source: Home Office figures for June 2025 Glasgow - 3,844 Birmingham - 2,755 Hillingdon - 2,481 Liverpool - 2,361 Manchester - 1,997 Hounslow - 1,775 Belfast - 1,760 Coventry - 1,733 Sandwell - 1,671 Leeds - 1,659 Across Scotland, the number of asylum seekers in taxpayer-funded hotels hit a record 1,573. They have rooms in 10 local authority areas. Those bidding for refugee status have doubled in a decade to 6,107. The three-star Hampton by Hilton in Westhill, Aberdeenshire, now caters exclusively for refugees whose claims are being assessed. One local said: 'We were never consulted on this. It's all men and they stick out as it's a small town.' Plans to change the hotel's use were shrouded in secrecy before the new guests moved in two years ago. It emerged up to 173 males aged 18 to 40 would be put up there. Another town resident said: 'I think if we had any choice in the matter then the community would have rejected this.' In nearby Aberdeen, what was once the city's only beachfront hotel now houses only migrants. The former Doubletree by Hilton has been the site of several protests in recent months. But one local said: 'It has made me feel sorry for the guys. They are not causing anyone any bother.' In Edinburgh's posh west end, residents have voiced concerns over a range of issues at the 62-bed Learmonth Hotel, which is currently used to house asylum seekers. One man, who didn't want to be named, said there should be more communication from operator Mears. He added: 'It can be quite intimidating walking past when there are 20 or 30 young men standing outside having cigarettes. 'There's a lot of litter and a lot of drinking now, unfortunately.' A UK Government spokeswoman said: 'We are working to make sure individuals have the support they need following an asylum decision to help local authorities better plan their assistance with homelessness. 'We have doubled the move-on period to 56 days and mobilised liaison officers to support asylum seekers in Glasgow.' And a spokesman for the Scottish Government said: 'UK Government decisions about the asylum system are creating significant pressures across the UK. We support the call from Glasgow City Council for them to provide adequate funding to support newly recognised refugees and communities."
