Free Speech Union rocked by internal racism and sexism allegations, staff departures

COO reportedly said she would never hire a black person; legislative affairs director discussed actress's physique in staff meeting

By LineZotpaper

Published23 October 2026

Read Time3 min

Sources2 outlets

The Free Speech Union (FSU), a prominent UK free-speech campaign group, is facing internal allegations of racism, workplace discrimination and sexually inappropriate remarks made by senior staff, according to multiple current and former employees who spoke to the Guardian. The claims have triggered a wave of departures and threaten to undermine the organisation's public image as a non-partisan defender of free expression.

The Free Speech Union (FSU) is grappling with a series of internal grievances that have led to the departure of its chief operating officer, Sigrun Olafsdottir, and accusations against its legislative affairs director, Sam Armstrong, who also serves as head of communications for Reform MP Robert Jenrick.

According to employees who spoke to the Guardian, Olafsdottir told a junior staff member in a one-on-one meeting late last year that she would “never hire a black person”. Staff described her as frequently “hostile” towards younger employees, particularly during in-person gatherings at pubs and hotels where some personnel drank heavily. Olafsdottir declined to comment.

Armstrong is alleged to have made more than a dozen staff, including several women, uncomfortable by discussing American actor Sydney Sweeney’s “assets” at length during an all-staff video meeting. The Guardian has seen text messages referencing the episode, in which the FSU’s engagement director joked about “a bunch of chaps so alpha in appreciation of Sydney Sweeney’s assets”. Armstrong also declined to comment.

Lord Toby Young, the Conservative peer who founded the FSU, told the Guardian he could not comment on “internal employment matters”. Regarding the Sweeney discussion, Young said it related to an FSU member’s case and that “there was therefore nothing untoward or unprofessional about the conversation.”

The allegations cap a turbulent period for the organisation. In July, the Guardian reported that the US State Department had allocated $5m to the FSU’s internatonal umbrella group, a grant that appeared to be withdrawn after the story broke. In August, questions arose over the FSU’s crowdfunding practices, including a case where it raised £60,000 for a legal matter that was ultimately fought pro bono, though Young disputed that characterisation, saying another lawyer was involved and the beneficiary had separate costs.

Eight staff members have left the FSU in the past year, many of them early-career employees who expressed a sense of betrayal about the workplace climate. One former staff member told the Guardian the organisation was “getting a bit cowboy” with “too much money sloshing around.”

The FSU, which has around 50,000 members and describes itself as a non-partisan defender of free speech against censorious authorities, continues to raise funds and recently delivered a petition to 10 Downing Street on jury trials.

Analysis

Why This Matters

The FSU presents itself as a non-partisan defender of free speech and has built a large membership base. Internal allegations of racism and sexism could undermine its credibility and fundraising.
The involvement of a senior figure also working for a Reform MP raises questions about the intersection of political campaigning and free-speech advocacy.
Past controversies over US State Department funding and crowdfunding practices may lead to increased scrutiny from regulators and members.

Background

The Free Speech Union was founded in 2020 by Toby Young, a Conservative peer and journalist. The organisation campaigns against what it sees as overreach by authorities in silencing speech, particularly around issues of race, gender and social justice. Critics have long accused the FSU of being a partisan vehicle for right-wing grievance rather than a genuine free-speech campaign. The group has about 50,000 members and a small, remote-working staff. Recent Guardian investigations have highlighted the group’s receipt of a $5m US State Department grant (subseqently withdrawn) and questions over its charity crowdfunding practices.

Key Perspectives

Lord Toby Young and FSU leadership: They deny any wrongdoing, with Young stating that the Sweeney discussion was work-related and that he cannot comment on internal employment matters. The organisation continues its normal activities. Current and former staff: They allege a hostile work environment, racial discrimination, and sexualised comments from senior staff, and say internal checks have eroded. Critics of the FSU: They argue that the group’s stated non-partisanship is undermined by its internal culture and its ties to right-wing political figures and foreign government funding.

What to Watch

Whether further staff departures or public complaints trigger an external investigation.
The response of the FSU’s membership: could donors or members withhold support?
Potential political fallout for Sam Armstrong’s role as a Reform adviser and for Robert Jenrick, who may face questions.
Any regulatory action by the Charity Commission or employment tribunals.

Sources

Free Speech Union hit by internal allegations of racism and sexually inappropriate remarks · UK news | The Guardian
Free Speech Union hit by internal allegations of racism and sexually inappropriate remarks · World news | The Guardian

Checked

12 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 6 supported.

Show each claim

Partly supportedThe FSU was rocked by allegations of racism and sexism, alongside staff departures.UK news | The Guardian: “Free Speech Union hit by internal allegations of racism and sexually inappropriate remarks.”
SupportedThe COO reportedly said she would “never hire a black person”.UK news | The Guardian: “employees alleged that she told a junior member of staff she would “never hire a black person” as a part of a one-on-one meeting late last year.”
SupportedThe legislative affairs director discussed Sydney Sweeney’s physique in a staff meeting.UK news | The Guardian: “They described an all-staff video meeting during which Armstrong discussed Sweeney’s physique”
Partly supportedThe allegations triggered a wave of staff departures.UK news | The Guardian: “These revelations have come alongside a period of internal turmoil. Eight members of the FSU’s small staff have departed within the past year.”
Partly supportedThe allegations threaten to undermine the FSU’s public image.UK news | The Guardian: “they may complicate how the organisation seeks to publicly present itself, as a nonpartisan group”
Partly supportedThe COO’s departure was caused by the internal grievances.UK news | The Guardian: “the chief operating officer, Sigrun Olafsdottir, departed late last week after employees alleged that she told a junior member of staff she would “never hire a black person””
Partly supportedArmstrong made more than a dozen staff, including several women, uncomfortable by discussing Sweeney’s assets.UK news | The Guardian: “More than a dozen staff were present, and more than half were women.”
SupportedThe FSU’s engagement director joked in text messages about “a bunch of chaps so alpha in appreciation of Sydney Sweeney’s assets”.UK news | The Guardian: “In one of them, the FSU’s engagement director ribbed Armstrong and others as “a bunch of chaps so alpha in appreciation of Sydney Sweeney’s assets”.”
SupportedThe Guardian reported that the US State Department allocated $5m to the FSU’s international umbrella group and that the grant appeared to be withdrawn after the report.UK news | The Guardian: “the US state department had allocated $5m to the international umbrella organisation that oversees the FSU ... appeared to withdraw this grant after the Guardian reported on the allocation.”
Partly supportedThe FSU raised £60,000 for a legal matter that was ultimately fought pro bono.UK news | The Guardian: “the FSU appeared to raise £60,000 for a legal case that was ultimately fought pro-bono.”
SupportedEight FSU staff members left in the past year.UK news | The Guardian: “Eight members of the FSU’s small staff have departed within the past year.”
SupportedThe FSU has around 50,000 members and recently delivered a petition to 10 Downing Street on jury trials.UK news | The Guardian: “one which often raises money from its 50,000 members to do so.”