Barclays Bank – one of the top 20 in the world – has paid more than $25,000 in compensation to Dr. Mike Davidson, an executive of a Christian trust, after arbitrarily closing the charity’s bank accounts due to pressure from LGBTQ+ activists.
Activists claimed the Core Issues Trust and the International Federation for Therapeutic and Counseling Choice were pushing “conversion therapy” onto people who voluntarily seek to change their sexual preferences or gender identities.
Barclays – a leading sponsor of London’s gay pride parade – succumbed to the pressure and sent a letter to Davidson, notifying him of the bank’s decision to close their accounts. Meanwhile, Davidson received hundreds of calls and messages from strangers telling him that he and the trust’s staff would be “raped and killed” amongst other threats.
Davidson’s lawyers alleged the closure was “an act of unlawful discrimination” as his professional and public work was damaged by the withdrawal of banking services on the basis of religious beliefs and political views.
Barclays “wholly denied” the claims of discrimination yet made an offer of £21,500 (GBP) to settle the matter before the case was due to be heard in the English High Court this week.
Davidson said following the settlement: “We reject Barclays [B]ank’s implied accusations of ‘conversion therapy’, directed at our work and charity. This case must serve as a warning to the government of what is coming if it proceeds with publishing and enforcing its ‘conversion therapy’ ban.”
