Middle East Eye • July 1, 2026 16:06

UK: Backlash as Lloyds 'debanks' independent media outlet The Canary 'with no explanation'

Political Leaning Analysis

Left Center Right

Score: -0.40 • Leans Left

Submitted by
Hannah. Smith
on
Wed, 07/01/2026 - 12:39

Social media users have criticised the ‘troubling’ move, warning of dangerous implications for free speech

A bus drives past a branch of Lloyds Bank in London, 28 January 2026 (Jack Taylor/Reuters)
Off
The Canary, an independent media organisation based in the UK, said on Tuesday that it has been debanked by Lloyds Bank.

In a statement shared on its website and across social media, it said that the British banking giant was "withholding a substantial amount of our money" and had "not explained why it has taken this action [d]espite multiple communications from us".

"The Canary is now in a financially precarious situation," it added. 

In a statement to Middle East Eye, CEO Steve Topple said that the outlet has been unable to pay staff or contractors. 

"We have a large team, and all of them are now extremely distressed and in limbo. Many of them are marginalised people, and it has hit them very hard."

Established in 2015, the small left-wing news outlet announced in May that it was launching a print newspaper to offer an alternative to "corporate media", according to Topple.

While the outlet does not operate behind a paywall, it receives its funds mostly through direct contributions made by readers.

'Massive implications for free speech'

Topple continued: "It is an outrage that the Canary has been unceremoniously dropped into financial instability with no notice or explanation from Lloyds. 

"Our situation is a damning indictment of the treatment of independent media in this country - whereby you can be potentially ruined without recourse by banking giants like Lloyds."

Lloyds has received backlash across social media platforms, as users have called for the banking group to disclose the reasoning behind the move, expressing concerns over growing restrictions on journalistic freedoms in the UK.

MEE eached out to Lloyds Bank for comment, but did not receive a reply by the time of publication.

This is very troubling and upsetting. Massive implications for free speech. Lloyds needs to explain itself and fast. https://t.co/D9xLeudVwF— Peter Oborne (@OborneTweets) June 30, 2026

Ahmed Alnaouq, Palestinian human rights activist and co-founder of We Are Not Numbers, said it sets "a very dangerous precedent", calling for the Canary's work to be "protected and supported at any cost".

Author and contributing editor of Novara Media Ash Sarkour criticised it as a "worrying development", pointing out that it took place "in a wider context of debanking for political reasons, against both the right & the left", in reference to politician Nigel Farage having one of his accounts with prestigious bank Coutts closed in 2023.

This is closing down #freespeech #democracyOur True & Fair Party, was debanked, refused by almost all banks leaving us unable to operate.Also happened to #Reform @TiceRichard you should be shouting from the rooftops about this!BREAKING: Canary debanked by Lloyds…— Gina Miller (@thatginamiller) June 30, 2026

Journalist and author Jonathan Cook highlighted the Canary’s existing financial difficulties, which arose after a targeted attack on the organisation by Labour Together in the wake of the 2017 general election, costing it significant advertising revenue.

Respect to The Free Speech Union for highlighting this.De-banking is a pernicious and insidious political trend that puts *all* British free speech, fair representation and democracy on the chopping block. Our parliament & government need to address it urgently. https://t.co/0d0ZEN0Qm3— Mike Galsworthy (@mikegalsworthy) June 30, 2026

Several users on X complained directly to Lloyd’s, with others sharing customer helpline contact information to increase the pressure on the banking group to respond.

Hi @LloydsBank, I would like to know why it is that you have chosen to Debank the Independent British Media Outlet 'The Canary'.Why have you not given them an explanation, they have staff to pay. Has the @GOVUK directed you to make this decision, and if so, on what grounds? pic.twitter.com/ySAm72uFTo— SeanMynyddLlangynidr 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 🇮🇪 🇵🇸 (@SeanLlangynidr) June 30, 2026

Others called for a boycott of Lloyds, while some encouraged readers to offer financial support to the Canary to ensure staff can be paid.

Several users on TikTok commented across videos and posts on the subject, saying that they will be closing their accounts. 

Maddison Wheeldon, a journalist for the Canary, wrote: "Please share and support us, we need independent media now more than ever before".

Donated, solidarity comrades.Boycott @LloydsBank and chip in to support @TheCanaryUK if you can.Staff need to be paid. This is an outrageous political attack. https://t.co/0PKH2hRKvf— Harry Eccles (@Heccles94) June 30, 2026

Users also took to Instagram to express their concerns, with Lloyds' latest post being flooded with comments from people demanding answers.

An investigation by the Telegraph in January revealed that nearly half a million accounts were debanked last year, a more than tenfold increase on the number of accounts closed in 2016-17.

The Guardian published a report earlier this year detailing how Muslims in the UK have been particularly targeted by the normalisation of debanking, describing the pressure faced by banks to monitor potential "terrorist" financial activity, which the report concluded caused them to act in haste to block transactions and close accounts of innocent people and charities, often without the chance to appeal.

Generally criticised on both sides of the political spectrum, legislative efforts have been made by successive governments to "stamp out" debanking in the UK.

New regulations that will affect customers who open an account after 28 April this year mean that banks must give at least 90 days' notice before closing an account, whilst providing a clear reason. However, an exception is made if the financial institution suspects criminal activity. 

UK Politics
Backlash as Lloyds 'debanks' independent media outlet The Canary 'with no explanation'
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UK: Backlash as Lloyds 'debanks' independent media outlet The Canary 'with no explanation' Submitted by Hannah. Smith on Wed, 07/01/2026 - 12:39 Social media users have criticised the ‘troubling’ move, warning of dangerous implications for free speech A bus drives past a branch of Lloyds Bank in London, 28 January 2026 (Jack Taylor/Reuters) Off The Canary, an independent media organisation based in the UK, said on Tuesday that it has been debanked by Lloyds Bank. In a statement shared on its website and across social media, it said that the British banking giant was "withholding a substantial amount of our money" and had "not explained why it has taken this action [d]espite multiple communications from us". "The Canary is now in a financially precarious situation," it added.  In a statement to Middle East Eye, CEO Steve Topple said that the outlet has been unable to pay staff or contractors.  "We have a large team, and all of them are now extremely distressed and in limbo. Many of them are marginalised people, and it has hit them very hard." Established in 2015, the small left-wing news outlet announced in May that it was launching a print newspaper to offer an alternative to "corporate media", according to Topple. While the outlet does not operate behind a paywall, it receives its funds mostly through direct contributions made by readers. 'Massive implications for free speech' Topple continued: "It is an outrage that the Canary has been unceremoniously dropped into financial instability with no notice or explanation from Lloyds.  "Our situation is a damning indictment of the treatment of independent media in this country - whereby you can be potentially ruined without recourse by banking giants like Lloyds." Lloyds has received backlash across social media platforms, as users have called for the banking group to disclose the reasoning behind the move, expressing concerns over growing restrictions on journalistic freedoms in the UK. MEE eached out to Lloyds Bank for comment, but did not receive a reply by the time of publication. This is very troubling and upsetting. Massive implications for free speech. Lloyds needs to explain itself and fast. https://t.co/D9xLeudVwF— Peter Oborne (@OborneTweets) June 30, 2026 Ahmed Alnaouq, Palestinian human rights activist and co-founder of We Are Not Numbers, said it sets "a very dangerous precedent", calling for the Canary's work to be "protected and supported at any cost". Author and contributing editor of Novara Media Ash Sarkour criticised it as a "worrying development", pointing out that it took place "in a wider context of debanking for political reasons, against both the right & the left", in reference to politician Nigel Farage having one of his accounts with prestigious bank Coutts closed in 2023. This is closing down #freespeech #democracyOur True & Fair Party, was debanked, refused by almost all banks leaving us unable to operate.Also happened to #Reform @TiceRichard you should be shouting from the rooftops about this!BREAKING: Canary debanked by Lloyds…— Gina Miller (@thatginamiller) June 30, 2026 Journalist and author Jonathan Cook highlighted the Canary’s existing financial difficulties, which arose after a targeted attack on the organisation by Labour Together in the wake of the 2017 general election, costing it significant advertising revenue. Respect to The Free Speech Union for highlighting this.De-banking is a pernicious and insidious political trend that puts *all* British free speech, fair representation and democracy on the chopping block. Our parliament & government need to address it urgently. https://t.co/0d0ZEN0Qm3— Mike Galsworthy (@mikegalsworthy) June 30, 2026 Several users on X complained directly to Lloyd’s, with others sharing customer helpline contact information to increase the pressure on the banking group to respond. Hi @LloydsBank, I would like to know why it is that you have chosen to Debank the Independent British Media Outlet 'The Canary'.Why have you not given them an explanation, they have staff to pay. Has the @GOVUK directed you to make this decision, and if so, on what grounds? pic.twitter.com/ySAm72uFTo— SeanMynyddLlangynidr 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 🇮🇪 🇵🇸 (@SeanLlangynidr) June 30, 2026 Others called for a boycott of Lloyds, while some encouraged readers to offer financial support to the Canary to ensure staff can be paid. Several users on TikTok commented across videos and posts on the subject, saying that they will be closing their accounts.  Maddison Wheeldon, a journalist for the Canary, wrote: "Please share and support us, we need independent media now more than ever before". Donated, solidarity comrades.Boycott @LloydsBank and chip in to support @TheCanaryUK if you can.Staff need to be paid. This is an outrageous political attack. https://t.co/0PKH2hRKvf— Harry Eccles (@Heccles94) June 30, 2026 Users also took to Instagram to express their concerns, with Lloyds' latest post being flooded with comments from people demanding answers. An investigation by the Telegraph in January revealed that nearly half a million accounts were debanked last year, a more than tenfold increase on the number of accounts closed in 2016-17. The Guardian published a report earlier this year detailing how Muslims in the UK have been particularly targeted by the normalisation of debanking, describing the pressure faced by banks to monitor potential "terrorist" financial activity, which the report concluded caused them to act in haste to block transactions and close accounts of innocent people and charities, often without the chance to appeal. Generally criticised on both sides of the political spectrum, legislative efforts have been made by successive governments to "stamp out" debanking in the UK. New regulations that will affect customers who open an account after 28 April this year mean that banks must give at least 90 days' notice before closing an account, whilst providing a clear reason. However, an exception is made if the financial institution suspects criminal activity.  UK Politics Backlash as Lloyds 'debanks' independent media outlet The Canary 'with no explanation' Trending Post Date Override 0 Update Date Mon, 05/04/2020 - 21:29 Update Date Override 0

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Wed 16:06 - Middle East Eye

UK: Backlash as Lloyds 'debanks' independent media outlet The Canary 'with no explanation'