Paul Weller Sues Former Accountants for Discrimination After They Drop Him Over His Gaza Views

Singer songwriter Paul Weller is taking legal action against his former accountants, for discrimination after they terminated their professional relationship with him because he has accused Israel of committing genocide in Gaza.

The former front man of The Jam and the Style Council, had been a client of Leigh Genis of Harris and Trotter LLP for more than 30 years until he was informed by WhatsApp that the firm could no longer act for him because they were ‘offended’ by his publicly expressed views on the situation in Gaza.

Harris & Trotter LLP, which specialises in the provision of accountancy services for professionals in the music industry, stated in the message that, as the firm had ‘Jewish roots and many Jewish partners’ it was unwilling to continue to work with someone who held such views.

Mr Weller has instructed solicitors from Hodge Jones & Allen to take legal action against the accountants for discrimination against him over his ‘protected philosophical beliefs’ concerning the rights of the Palestinian people, under the Equality Act 2010.

He is represented by Cormac McDonough of Hodge Jones & Allen and James Robottom of Matrix Chambers.

Mr Weller’s pre-action letter to Harris & Trotter LLP requests details of any other cases in which they have terminated or refused to take on clients for similar reasons.

His case is brought under the services provision of the Equality Act which applies to discrimination in the provision of any services and could have wider implications that move beyond the music industry.

Mr Weller has pledged to donate any damages awarded or received in settlement of his claim to humanitarian relief efforts in Gaza.

Since October 2023, Mr Weller has publicly expressed views critical of Israel’s treatment of the Palestinian people of Gaza in interviews, concerts, social media, and public demonstrations, including organising the “Gig for Gaza” benefit concert in December 2024.

Mr Weller said: “I’ve always spoken out against injustice, whether it’s apartheid, ethnic cleansing, or genocide. What’s happening to the Palestinian people in Gaza is a humanitarian catastrophe.

“I believe they have the right to self-determination, dignity, and protection under international law, and I believe Israel is committing genocide against them. That must be called out. Silencing those who speak this truth is not just censorship – it’s complicity.

“I’m taking legal action not just for myself, but to help ensure that others are not similarly punished for expressing their beliefs about the rights of the Palestinian people.

“No one should face discrimination for speaking out against the atrocities that the people of Gaza are being subjected to.”

Mr Genis sent a WhatsApp to Mr Weller in March which said: ‘After acting for you and your companies for over 30 years, the purpose of this message is to advise you that we are resigning as accountants and tax advisors for you and your companies with immediate effect.

‘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.’

The case comes amid growing concern over censorship in the music industry. In July 2025, Massive Attack launched an alliance of musicians, including Kneecap, Fontaines D.C., Brian Eno, and Garbage, to support artists facing intimidation and career threats for speaking out about Gaza. The initiative was formed in response to what Massive Attack described as “attempted censorship” and “intimidations from within our industry” targeting those who have publicly condemned Israel’s actions in Gaza.

Mr Weller was also a signatory to a public letter defending the band Kneecap, who faced calls for removal from the Glastonbury Festival following their outspoken support for Palestine. The letter, signed by over 100 prominent artists including Pulp, Primal Scream, and Massive Attack, condemned political interference and repression of artistic freedom.

Cormac McDonough, a civil liberties partner at Hodge Jones & Allen, which represents Paul Weller, said: “This case concerns discrimination against my client for speaking out on one of the most serious humanitarian issues of our time. Mr Weller’s beliefs about the rights of the Palestinian people – including his belief that they are being subjected to genocide – are deeply held, morally serious and peacefully expressed.

“Mr Weller’s treatment reflects a wider pattern of attempts to silence artists and public figures who speak out in support of Palestinian rights. Within the music industry especially, we are seeing increasing efforts to marginalize those who express solidarity with the people of Gaza. The Equality Act was designed to protect individuals from discrimination, including based on philosophical belief, and it is essential that those protections are upheld in practice.”