Winston Marshall, a founding member of the band Mumford & Sons, says he is leaving the band so that he is able to “speak freely” about politics.
“As long as I am a member of the band, speaking my mind on the evils of political extremism could bring them trouble,” the 33-year-old British banjoist and guitarist wrote in a lengthy Medium post on Thursday. “My loyalty and love for them cannot permit that.”
Marshall added that leaving the band would permit him to “speak freely without them suffering the consequences” but also insisted that his fellow band members didn’t force him out of the group.
“Emotions were high,” Marshall wrote. “Despite pressure to nix me they invited me to continue with the band. That took courage, particularly in the age of so called ‘cancel culture.’ I made an apology and agreed to take a temporary step back.”
The band’s Twitter account posted a goodbye to Marshall on Thursday, wishing him all the best in the future.
We wish you all the best for the future, Win, and we love you man. M, B & T. pic.twitter.com/EiXTIkxxL5
— Mumford & Sons (@MumfordAndSons) June 24, 2021
Marshall took time off from the band in March after many social media users reacted negatively to his tweet supporting journalist Andy Ngo’s book Unmasked, which documents violence from the leftist militant group antifa.
“Finally had the time to read your important book. You’re a brave man,” Marshall wrote in a tweet that has since been deleted.
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER
Marshall touched on that controversy in his farewell post, writing, “I have spent much time reflecting, reading and listening. The truth is that my commenting on a book that documents the extreme Far-Left and their activities is in no way an endorsement of the equally repugnant Far-Right.”
Marshall continued, “The truth is that reporting on extremism at the great risk of endangering oneself is unquestionably brave. I also feel that my previous apology in a small way participates in the lie that such extremism does not exist, or worse, is a force for good.”
