The administration of US President Donald Trump has been accused by British MPs of employing "bullying tactics" and undermining free speech after it imposed sanctions on two prominent UK-based online campaigners.
Targets of the Travel Bans
Imran Ahmed, the chief executive of the Centre for Countering Digital Hate (CCDH) and a former Labour adviser, and Clare Melford, an Oxford graduate who leads the UK-based Global Disinformation Index (GDI), have been barred from entering the United States. The Trump administration has indicated these sanctions could be a precursor to further action, potentially aimed at serving politicians or officials.
The move also affected several European figures, including former EU commissioner Thierry Breton, who oversaw social media rules, and HateAid leaders Josephine Ballon and Anna-Lena von Hodenberg from Germany. All those sanctioned have been involved in efforts to counter disinformation and hate speech online.
Accusations of 'Extraterritorial Censorship'
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio defended the actions, accusing the individuals of leading "organised efforts to coerce American platforms to punish American viewpoints they oppose." In a post on X, Rubio stated, "The Trump administration will no longer tolerate these egregious acts of extraterritorial censorship."
This campaign utilises US immigration law to target foreign influence over online speech. Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy, Sarah Rogers, hinted the action could widen, noting that while none of those currently sanctioned are serving officials, foreign government officials are "actively targeting the United States."
Widespread Condemnation and Chilling Effect
The response from the UK and Europe has been one of strong condemnation. Dame Chi Onwurah, Labour chair of the Commons Science, Innovation and Technology Committee, said, "Banning people because you disagree with what they say undermines the free speech the administration claims to seek." She highlighted that Mr Ahmed, who gave evidence to her committee, was an "articulate advocate for greater regulation and accountability."
Jonathan Hall KC, the independent reviewer of terrorism legislation, described the US sanctions as a "significant move," typically reserved for serious foreign policy threats. He warned it "will send a really massive chilling effect on everyone else who's discussing the subject at the moment."
A spokesperson for the GDI labelled the visa sanctions on Clare Melford "an authoritarian attack on free speech and an egregious act of government censorship," accusing the Trump administration of intimidation.
The UK Government, in a statement, reiterated its commitment to free speech and supporting laws that keep the internet free from the most harmful content, including child abuse material and incitement to violence.
Criticism also came from European leaders. French President Emmanuel Macron accused the US of "intimidation and coercion aimed at undermining European digital sovereignty." EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas called the travel restrictions "unacceptable and an attempt to challenge our sovereignty," vowing to defend European values and regulatory autonomy.
Calum Miller, the Liberal Democrats' foreign affairs spokesman, accused Donald Trump of making it "explicit policy to interfere in European politics," labelling the sanctions an "attack on free speech" and "bullying tactics" that the UK Government must challenge.
