US Embassy offers £500k grant, UK MP decries ‘MAGA meddling’ over free-speech crisis

The United States Embassy in London unveiled a grant scheme of up to $500,000 intended to bolster shared democratic principles such as free expression, due process and limited government. Liberal Democrat MP Lisa Smart rebuked the offer, labeling it “Trump’s MAGA money meddling in democracy,” and warned it threatens Britain’s historic liberty tradition. Greg Lukianoff, president of the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression, told one outlet that the UK is experiencing a free-speech crisis, pointing to over 12,000 arrests in 2023 under the Online Safety Act and other communications statutes.

He likened the situation to the U.S. Red Scare of 1919-20 and argued the UK should accept any assistance, whether from JD Vance, Trump or future Democrats. The embassy responded that Liberal Democrats have not opposed Biden-era grants and that the State Department is ending “woke” DEIA programs, while the UK government continues to record non-crime hate incidents and enforce strict speech codes. One outlet sought comment from Smart but received none.