England: Paul Weller to sue former accountants who dropped him over Gaza

Mr Weller was a client of Leigh Genis of Harris and Trotter LLP for more than 30 years, until he was allegedly informed via WhatsApp that the firm could no longer act for him because the firm was “offended” by his publicly expressed views on the situation in Gaza.

Harris & Trotter LLP, which specialises in the provision of accountancy services for professionals in the music industry, allegedly stated in the message that, as the firm had “Jewish roots and many Jewish partners”, it was unwilling to continue to work with him because of his views.

Mr Weller has instructed solicitors from Hodge Jones & Allen to take legal action against the accountants under the Equality Act 2010 for alleged discrimination against him over his protected philosophical beliefs concerning the rights of the Palestinian people.

He is represented by Cormac McDonough of Hodge Jones & Allen and James Robottom of Matrix Chambers.

Mr Weller’s pre-action letter to Harris & Trotter LLP requests details of any other cases in which they have terminated or refused to take on clients for similar reasons.

His case is brought under the services provision of the Equality Act, which applies to discrimination in the provision of any services and could have wider implications that move beyond the music industry.

Mr Weller has pledged to donate any damages awarded or received in settlement of his claim to humanitarian relief efforts in Gaza.

Since October 2023, Mr Weller has publicly expressed views critical of Israel’s treatment of the Palestinian people of Gaza in interviews, concerts, social media, and public demonstrations, including organising a “Gig for Gaza” benefit concert in December 2024.

In a statement issued through his lawyers, Mr 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.

“No one should face discrimination for speaking out against the atrocities that the people of Gaza are being subjected to.”

Mr McDonough, a civil liberties partner at Hodge Jones & Allen, said: “This case concerns discrimination against my client for speaking out on one of the most serious humanitarian issues of our time.

“Mr Weller’s beliefs about the rights of the Palestinian people – including his belief that they are being subjected to genocide – are deeply held, morally serious and peacefully expressed.

“Mr Weller’s treatment reflects a wider pattern of attempts to silence artists and public figures who speak out in support of Palestinian rights.

“Within the music industry especially, we are seeing increasing efforts to marginalise those who express solidarity with the people of Gaza.

“The Equality Act was designed to protect individuals from discrimination, including based on philosophical belief, and it is essential that those protections are upheld in practice.”