London: Winston Marshall, a founding member of folk-rock group Mumford & Sons, announced that is leaving the band so that he can speak freely about political issues.
Marshall took a break from the band in March after sparking a social media storm by tweeting admiration for Unmasked, a book by American right-wing writer-activist Andy Ngo that attacked far-left militant groups collectively known as antifa.
Calling it quits over free speech: Winston Marshall of Mumford & Sons.Credit:AP
The online backlash affected not only Marshall, but the rest of his bandmates, who were likened in some cases to Nazi sympathisers. Marshall explained in his departure letter that he rejects the abhorrent Far-Right, and that 13 of his family members were murdered in Holocaust concentration camps.
Accused of endorsing the far right, Marshall said on Thursday that nothing could be further from the truth. I condemn unequivocally all political extremism, be it of the Right or Left.
Marshall, who plays guitar and banjo with the group, said his bandmates had invited me to continue with them, but he had decided to leave so that he could speak freely without them suffering the consequences.
Marshall said that as long as I am a member of the band, speaking my mind on the evils of political extremism could bring them trouble. My loyalty and love for them cannot permit that.
Marshall said he plans to undertake new creative projects, as well as speaking and writing on a variety of issues.
Earlier this year Marshall co-founded Hong Kong Link Up, a charity that works to integrate Hong Kongers settling in Britain because of increasing political repression in the semi-autonomous Chinese city state.
