Barclays Bank has paid out over £20,000 in compensation to a Christian ministry after it closed its accounts following pressure from LGBT activists.
A Christian ministry in Northern Ireland that says it seeks to help people “overcome homosexual desires,” has been paid compensation after its lawyers stated that the closure of its accounts was “an act of unlawful discrimination.”
There has been no admission of liability by Barclays.
‘Coordinated Harassment Campaign’
Barclays appeared to cancel the accounts following a coordinated harassment campaign from LGBT activists, the Christian Legal Centre claimed, which supported CIT CEO Mike Davidson’s case.Davidson said that as a result of the campaign, he received over 300 nuisance phone calls and other intimidating messages, including a text which expressed a hope that staff and family members would be raped and killed.
CIT also had its Mail Chimp, PayPal, Facebook, and other social accounts closed down, none of which have been recovered.
Lawyers argued that the bank had discriminated against Davidson personally on the grounds of his religious beliefs and/or political opinion.
Therapist/counsellor Davidson sought compensation for loss and damages arising out of Barclays’ breach of the Northern Irish Fair Treatment Order, primarily for the Charity’s financial losses.
‘This Population Has Been Abandoned’
Examining more how CIT “supports those leaving LGBT identities, behaviours, attractions, and life choices,” Davidson told The Epoch Times that he believes that this “population has been abandoned.”“This population has been abandoned by professional mental health bodies. If they go in that direction, they are simply told that’s who they are and they cannot and should not change,” he said.
Andrea Williams, chief executive of the Christian Legal Centre, said: “This was a cruel and orchestrated campaign by LGBT activists targeting a Christian ministry and Barclays fell for it.
“Rather than standing up for free speech, Christian freedom, and minority rights, Barclays Bank Plc surrendered to the intimidatory tactics of LGBT activists.
Farage
Davidson noted that his case could be similar to that of British political leader Nigel Farage, who on Thursday claimed that the bank he has been with for over 40 years has closed his bank account with “no explanation.”Farage has not yet named the bank that closed all his accounts and said it didn’t give a reason. He has alleged that it is “political persecution” possibly in revenge for “Brexit,” amidst other reasons.
“This is serious political persecution at the very highest level of our system. If they can do it to me, they can do it to you too,” said Farage.
A Barclays spokeswoman told The Epoch Times by email: “Barclays has agreed [to] a commercial settlement with Core Issues Trust following our decision to cease acting as their Bankers in 2020.
“This is a commercial settlement, predicated on our assessment of the costs of defending this claim to conclusion against the cost of settling the matter today.”
She said that there has “been no admission of liability by Barclays and there has been no decision by the Court calling into question Barclays’ actions including Barclays’ decision to exit its relationship with Core Issues Trust and IFTCC.”
“Barclays remains an advocate for the equality and dignity of all members of society, including the LGBT+ community, and our stance in this matter affirms this position. We will continue to build understanding of diverse experiences and perspectives, and create a more inclusive environment in the communities in which we operate,” she added.
