US Embassy Grant Scheme Sparks Accusations of Political Meddling in Britain

The United States embassy in London has issued a public-diplacy funding notice inviting charities, non-profits and other organisations to apply for grants of up to $500,000.

The Guardian

Senior figures in the Law Society and the Bar Association of England and Wales have expressed unease, noting parallels between the president’s attacks on law firms and historic authoritarian tactics. The funding notice states that it is not intended to support partisan political activity or lobbying, a claim that has been challenged by multiple British officials.

The Guardian

Former State Department officials have described the language of the grant call as unusually overt.

The Guardian

• “In the past the language for this stuff would be more like ‘increase understanding of US policy’. This is very openly saying more ‘persuade people to agree with US policy’.” — former state department official — former state department official

The Guardian