End UK government blacklisting of private citizens.
End UK government blacklisting of private citizens.
This case is raising funds for its stretch target. Your pledge will be collected within the next 24-48 hours (and it only takes two minutes to pledge!)
Latest: Nov. 13, 2023
I'm still in the fight!
The struggle goes on. The effort to discover the extent of the blacklisting policies put into place by the government has rumbled a number of perfidious policies and nefarious practices. My excellent…
Read moreMy name is Dan Kaszeta. I need your help. I have helped to expose a sinister UK government policy of blacklisting private citizens and I am fighting this dark practice in the courts. Most people are unaware that the government is “vetting” social media posts of private citizens and using the results of that vetting to bar people like me from speaking at UK government meetings and conferences.
Why I am raising funds?
My hope is that a Judicial Review will find this government policy unlawful and I need your help to raise funds to fight this battle. Not so much for me, but for all of us. There are other victims of this policy, but I am fortunate enough to still be within the narrow time window for judicial review. Consider me the spearhead. However, legal costs are considerable and I have no private wealth I can devote to this. I am asking for £5,000 for now to cover the expenses for a judicial review. More is obviously better, as this sort of legal case can be labour-intensive. If this battle drags on, I may have to come back for more.
Who am I?
I am an expert on defence and security affairs with a life-long specialty in protecting against chemical, biological, and radiological weapons and threats. I've written several books and well over 100 articles. I am an associate fellow at the Royal United Services Institute. I've been based in London for 15 years. Earlier in my career I worked at the White House for 12 years.
What happened to me?
In January 2023, I was invited to speak at the 25th international Chemical Weapons Demilitarisation Conference. In April, I received an email, of which I reproduce a little bit here:
This is an assault on all of our liberties. We all have the right to criticise the government. The government should not cut itself off from valued expertise based on such irrational and arbitrary policies. The government should not be seeking to make members of the public censor themselves. We are allowed to have beliefs and express them.
If you want a more detailed discussion of what happened and an analysis of this awful government policy, you can read my Byline Times columns.
What are we trying to achieve:
We want the government to acknowledge that this policy is wrong and that I was wrongly treated by the UK government. This affects many others as well, so if we can get this policy retracted or declared unlawful, these other victims of blacklisting will also be vindicated.
What is the next step in the case?
We have sent correspondence to the government giving them a chance to apologise and retract the policy. Failing a satisfactory response, we will seek Judicial Review.
Thank you for your generous support.
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Dan Kaszeta
Nov. 13, 2023
I'm still in the fight!
The struggle goes on. The effort to discover the extent of the blacklisting policies put into place by the government has rumbled a number of perfidious policies and nefarious practices. My excellent legal team has consulted with a number of others who have been affected, in particular some truly appalling circumstances involving the Department for Education. Your support has been crucial and continues to be important as this fight continues.
Dan Kaszeta
Aug. 21, 2023
15 Blacklisting Policies have been Withdrawn
The most important news on this case is that we continue to win without even reaching the inside of a court-room. The UK government has admitted to having not just Cabinet Office policies, but also that there were 15 various department-level policies on "due diligence" and "social media vetting". The government, apparently in fear of how these policies would be dealt with in court, has retracted all 15 of these policies. This is an amazing win for this effort, and you have all been part of this by supporting this vital legal action.
Dan Kaszeta
July 25, 2023
Another Partial Victory!
Based on our rather intense exchange of letters, the Cabinet Office has withdrawn two of its "due diligence" policies. Both of these policies had been cited as being relevant to what happened to me.
To get the government to withdraw internal policies is a tremendous victory. It is a vindication of everything I have been saying all along.
The struggle does continue, though. Others need apologies. It's blatantly unfair that only I get an apology, whilst others, some of whose cases are more egregious than mine, receive no apology. We also do not know the full scope of these policies, and continue to dig to find out more information.
Thank you for carrying the burden this far.
Dan Kaszeta
July 12, 2023
Partial Victory!
DSTL, the arm of the UK government which had disinvited me, has formally apologised to me in writing. (Text below).
Both myself and my excellent legal team view this as a good step and a partial victory. I am, in fact, vindicated. The government has admitted to doing the wrong thing in my case.
But here is the thing... While an apology to me is both necessary and good, and I accept it in good faith, the government has not rescinded its underlying "Due Diligence" policies. It has merely said that they would review the two policies that we have uncovered. The fact that we had to work hard to even uncover them in the first place is telling. The struggle to get these policies openly discussed and either amended or rescinded continues. The focus of my case shifts away from DSTL - they have, in fact, done the right thing now. We must focus on central government and not let them off the hook.
Dan Kaszeta
June 21, 2023
We have reached the first goal!
Many thanks to the people who have contributed so far. We have raised over £5000 in less than 48 hours. This is excellent. It sends a strong message. If the government folds over on itself and we have an early win, this may be enough funds. If the government fights back, we will need to keep fighting from my end. I will try to keep you posted as we go.
Dan Kaszeta
June 19, 2023
Very good start!
We're off to a very pleasing start to this effort. Thank you to all of you who have pledged so far. Spread the word and keep it up.
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