LONDON (Reuters) – Qatar has embarked on a review of its investments in London after London’s public transport authority banned the Gulf emirate’s promotional campaign this week from buses, taxis and the London Underground. the British capital, reports the Financial Times on Saturday.
Transport for London’s (TfL) decision is linked to criticism leveled at Qatar, which is currently hosting the FIFA World Cup, for its stance on LGBT+ rights and its treatment of migrant workers, according to the FT.
TfL, which is chaired by Mayor of London Sadiq Khan, this week contacted Q22, the body overseeing the organization of the World Cup and the Qatari tourism board, to inform them of the ban, reports the Financial Times, citing a person involved in the Qatar-initiated review.
The London Transport Authority’s decision “was taken as a message from City Hall that the Qatari economy is not welcome in London,” the person said.
Qatar is one of the main investors in London via its sovereign wealth fund.
The Qatar Investment Authority (QIA) thus owns the Harrods department store and the Shard Tower and is co-owner of the Canary Wharf business district. The emirate also owns the Savoy and Grosvenor House hotels and 20% stakes in Heathrow Airport and 14% in Sainsbury’s, Britain’s second largest supermarket chain.
A spokesman for TfL said the company had sent its commercial partners, before the start of the World Cup, “further guidance on the advertising campaigns that we would probably find acceptable to run during the tournament while also doing so that football fans are not deprived of the opportunity to support their team”.
“Each ad campaign continues to be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.”
Campaigns promoting tourism in Qatar or portraying Qatar as an attractive destination would not be considered acceptable, TfL said.
The Qatari government communications department did not immediately respond to an emailed request for comment.
Qatar rejects the criticisms against it and claims to be a welcoming country that does not practice any discrimination. He denies accusations of ill-treatment of workers. Homosexuality is illegal there.
(Written by James Davey, French version Bertrand Boucey)
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