The UK bank Barclays has agreed to pay more than £20,000 to the Christian group Core Issues Trust and the International Federation for Therapeutic and Counselling Choice.
The settlement brings an end to the lawsuit brought against Barclays, one of the UK’s largest banks, on the grounds of discrimination.
The charity founded by psychologist and academic Mike Davidson provides counselling and support for “those leaving LGBT identities, behaviours, attractions and life choices” and campaigns against conversion therapy bans.
In 2012, it was denied advertising space on public transportation in London for posters stating “Not gay! Post-gay, ex-gay and proud. Get over it!”
In 2020, Core Issues Trust (CIT) received notification from Barclays that its account was being closed. The bank gave no explanation, but the decision followed a social media campaign by the gender theory activist group Stonewall, which has praised the bank for its employment practices. Barclays is also one of the main sponsors of London Pride. The bank’s decision to cancel Core Issues Trust as a client appeared to be a direct result of lobbying by Stonewall.
Backed by the Christian Legal Centre, Core Issues Trust undertook a legal challenge on the claim that Barclays had discriminated against the charity on the grounds of religious belief and/or political opinion. The lawsuit also accused the bank of undermining Davidson’s professional and public work.
The bank “wholly denied” all accusations of either “directly or indirectly” discriminating against Davidson, arguing that it is at liberty to terminate any bank account by giving two months’ notice without explanation.
According to a report by The Times, Barclays agreed to the settlement of £21,500 for damages and legal fees ahead of a High Court hearing. The bank maintains it was a business decision based on an “assessment of the costs of defending this claim to a conclusion against the cost of settling the matter today.”
The bank has neither reinstated the account nor issued an apology.
“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,” Davidson said.
The UK government is considering legislation to ban conversion therapy under specific circumstances.
