The British government has reiterated its commitment to free speech following the United States’ decision to impose visa bans on five prominent European figures in the tech and digital policy space, including two British citizens.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, a UK government spokesperson said Britain remains “fully committed to upholding the right to free speech,” while acknowledging that countries have the sovereign right to set their own visa policies.
“While every country has the right to set its own visa rules, we support the laws and institutions which are working to keep the internet free from the most harmful content,” the spokesperson said.
The US State Department announced the sanctions on Tuesday, targeting Imran Ahmed, founder of the UK-based anti-misinformation nonprofit Center for Countering Digital Hate, and Clare Melford, head of the Global Disinformation Index (GDI). Also affected are former European Union commissioner Thierry Breton and two other European figures.
Washington accused the individuals of promoting what it described as “censorship crackdowns by foreign states,” alleging that their actions targeted American speakers and US-based technology companies.
The move comes amid growing tensions between the United States and Europe over digital regulation. Earlier this month, the European Union fined Elon Musk’s social media platform X for breaching rules on advertising transparency and user verification. The Trump administration has since intensified its criticism of EU and UK tech regulations.
The United States has also taken aim at Britain’s Online Safety Act, which introduces stricter content moderation requirements for major social media platforms. In August, the US State Department cited the UK for what it called “significant human rights issues,” including restrictions on free speech. Last week, the White House suspended the implementation of a multi-billion-dollar UK-US tech cooperation agreement, reportedly over concerns about British tech regulations.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s government, which has largely avoided public confrontation with the Trump administration, responded cautiously. London said it was focused on resuming talks on the tech deal, which was signed during President Trump’s high-profile state visit to the UK in September.
Britain’s restrained reaction to the visa bans contrasts with stronger responses from other European leaders. French President Emmanuel Macron condemned the US action as “intimidation” and “coercion,” while Germany described the sanctions as “not acceptable.”
The dispute underscores widening transatlantic divisions over free speech, digital regulation, and the balance between combating online harm and protecting expression in the digital age.
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