The UK government has been accused of keeping secret files on critics and banning them from attending government-sponsored events, according to a report by the Observer. The paper claims that several experts who have publicly criticized the cabinet or the prime minister have been blacklisted and denied invitations to speak at conferences, workshops, and seminars funded by the government.
The Observer says it has obtained a leaked document that reveals the names and details of some of the critics who have been targeted by the government. The document, which is marked “sensitive”, was allegedly circulated among senior civil servants and ministers. It contains information such as the critics’ academic backgrounds, media appearances, social media posts, and previous criticisms of the government.