Former British Prime Minister Liz Truss has recently emerged as a vocal proponent of free speech, advocating for a First Amendment-style approach in the UK and attracting a following among American libertarians. However, her stance is being scrutinized in light of her past actions as Foreign Secretary, specifically the decision to sanction British journalist Graham Phillips.
In July 2022, while serving as Foreign Secretary, Truss sanctioned Phillips, citing his production and publication of media material that allegedly supported and promoted actions destabilizing Ukraine. This action resulted in severe penalties for Phillips, who is now exiled and impoverished in Mariupol, a city in Russian-occupied Ukraine. The sanctions prohibit him from earning money, freeze his bank account, and prevent others from paying him. His attempts to return to England are hampered by his inability to purchase a plane ticket and travel bans from Ukraine and the European Union, effectively trapping him in Mariupol. He is also unable to pay his UK council tax due to restrictions on his bank account and the inability to travel to England to provide payment instructions in person.
The High Court acknowledged that these sanctions interfered with Phillips's human rights, including freedom of expression, private life, and property. However, the court deemed the measures proportionate and lawful for the stated aim of protecting UK national security and supporting Ukraine. Phillips has not been convicted of any crime, arrested, or charged under UK law, yet he faces indefinite penalties for his published content.
Critics, such as journalist Peter Hitchens, argue that Truss's current advocacy for free speech is hypocritical given her role in imposing these sanctions. Hitchens highlights that Phillips is reportedly the only individual sanctioned by their own state in this manner, lacking a second passport to mitigate the effects. Truss's office has declined to comment, referring inquiries to the Foreign Office, which has provided no further clarification.
Truss has publicly promoted her vision for greater free expression, including an appearance on GB News in June where she argued that legislation and institutions have undermined free expression and that individuals should be able to voice their views without fear of state reprisal. She also suggested that political power has shifted too far from elected officials to the courts. These statements have drawn attention to the case of Graham Phillips and raised questions about the consistency of her public pronouncements on liberty with her past governmental decisions.