Hay Festival suspends sponsorship with Baillie Gifford over Israel and fossil fuel links
- Hay Festival drops main sponsor Baillie Gifford after boycotts over Israel and fossil fuel links.
- Prominent figures such as Nish Kumar, Charlotte Church, and Labour MP Dawn Butler pulled out of the event.
- The festival bows to pressure and cuts ties with sponsors due to alleged links with Israeli defense industries and fossil fuels.
The festival is happening in Wales until 2 June. Fossil Free Books asked Baillie Gifford to stop investing in fossil fuels, claiming they had between £2.5bn and £5bn invested. Artists, partners, and audiences who join the conversation are appreciated. The Hay Festival ended its sponsorship with Baillie Gifford due to pressure from celebrities like Charlotte Church over its ties to Israel. Church withdrew from the event, stating her support for Palestine and opposition to the festival's sponsorship. The festival's chief executive decided to suspend the sponsorship from Baillie Gifford after claims from campaigners and pressure on artists. Baillie Gifford sponsors other literary festivals and the Baillie Gifford prize for nonfiction. The group Fossil Free Books demanded Baillie Gifford to divest from fossil fuels. Baillie Gifford stated they are not a major fossil fuel investor, with only 2% of clients' money in such companies. The festival's sponsorship with Baillie Gifford was terminated due to pressure from artists and campaigners. Charlotte Church and other speakers withdrew from the festival in protest against Baillie Gifford's links to Israel and fossil fuel companies. Baillie Gifford sponsors various literary events, including the Edinburgh international book festival and Cheltenham literature festival. The festival organizers are discussing with Fossil Free Books and other groups to address sustainability concerns.