Mick Hartley

Now it's Paul Weller. From the Times:

Paul Weller has threatened to sue his former accountants because they refused to work for him after his statements accusing Israel of committing genocide in Gaza.

The former Jam frontman, 67, threatened a discrimination claim against Harris & Trotter, which had worked with him for more than 30 years.

In a pre-action letter, his legal representatives said Weller was told in March that accountants and tax advisers at Harris & Trotter would no longer work with him or for his companies.

The refusal came almost a year after the firm was said to have reassured Weller that its client funds were not being used to support Israel after he had expressed concerns.

According to the letter, a partner at the firm said in a text to Weller: “It’s well known what your political views are in relation to Israel, the Palestinians and Gaza, but we as a firm are offended at the assertions that Israel is committing any type of genocide.

“Everyone is entitled to their own views, but you are alleging such anti-Israel views that we as a firm with Jewish roots and many Jewish partners are not prepared to work with someone who holds these views.”

He added: “Genocide is what happened in Germany being their desire to rid Europe of its Jews. This is not the intention of Israel in Gaza, in fact it is the other way round. Hamas have been clear they want the extinction of Israel. There is never any mention of the slaughter that took place on October 7th or the taking of hostages.”

According to the letter, Weller responded 15 minutes later, telling the partner, “I’m not prepared to work with people that support genocide so suits me fine”, to which the partner said that he did not support genocide and the only party committing genocidal acts were Hamas.

The singer then said: “No, you’re either complicit or stupid to what’s going on there. Let’s leave it at that.”

Lawyers for Weller claim that by withdrawing their services, the firm unlawfully discriminated against the singer’s protected philosophical beliefs, including that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza and that Palestine should be recognised as a state.

Protected philosophical beliefs??

The letter states that Weller’s “deeply held and non-negotiable belief that the State of Israel was committing genocide against the Palestinian people in Gaza” was a “central part” of his moral and philosophical worldview.

What a conceited idiot. Why can't he just accept the parting of the ways and find other accountants?

And good for Harris & Trotter for speaking out.