Qatar ‘reviewing London investments’ after TfL ‘bans’ Gulf State’s advertising on Tube and buse
Qatar is reportedly ‘reviewing their current and future investments’ in London after a row with Transport for London (TfL) over an advertising ‘ban’. The nation is reportedly ‘considering investment opportunities in other UK cities and home nations’ after decision-makers in Doha were ‘angered’ during recent discussion.
According to a report published in the Financial Times, the Qatari government has been displeased by certain ‘double standards’ behind a ban against advertising on public transport in London from countries with laws against homosexuality.
The ban was rolled out by London Mayor Sadiq Khan, who chairs TfL. In 2019, he requested that TfL ‘review how it treats advertising and sponsorship from countries with anti-LGBT+ laws’, and this led to advertising suspensions for 11 nations, including Qatar.
The ban was tightened in the run-up to the 2022 World Cup, which is currently being held in Qatar, after it was reportedly found that ‘some’ Qatari adverts made their way onto buses, taxis and Tube station advertising boards.
Out of respect for the host country’s laws and cultural norms, FIFA has asked that national teams not display the rainbow-themed ‘One Love’ armbands usually worn to promote awareness and inclusiveness towards LGBT+ communities.
A number of football players have spoken out against the FIFA decision, with the German national team coming out for their Group E opening match against Japan with their hands covering their mouths in protest.
TfL is reported to have to recently contacted the Q22 body overseeing the World Cup to discuss the ban, but discussions are not said to have gone well.
Quoting an individual involved in the review, the Financial Times reported that Doha considered the TfL ban ‘another blatant example of double standards and virtue signalling to score cheap political points around the Qatar World Cup’.
The source added that the ban ‘has been interpreted as a message from the mayor’s office that Qatari business is not welcome in London’.
A financial fall-out with Qatar could cost the British capital huge sums in revenue, especially considering the £368billion investment from the Qatar Investment Authority (QIA), which owns luxury store Harrods, the Shard skyscraper and co-owns Canary Wharf.
Assets also include a 20 percent stake in London Heathrow airport and a 15 percent share in supermarket chain Sainsbury’s, which together are said to be worth around £2billion. The QIA also owns seven per cent of the London Stock Exchange, and Chelsea Barracks, the Savoy and Grosvenor House hotels, as well as stakes in Severn Water and Shell.
Qatar, which according to analysts at MSCI Real Assets is believed to be the 10th largest landowner in the UK, has not commented on the report and it is unclear what effect a review would have.
