The news that NatWest is closing RT UK’s bank accounts without any explanation has ignited a social media storm from outraged readers and members of the public who have questioned Britain's “freedom of the press” and declared their support for RT.

Wikileaks' Assange has internet cut, allegedly by "state actor." RT & bank accounts blocked in UK. Feels like beginning of cyber response. — ian bremmer (@ianbremmer) October 17, 2016

Offering help & support

Countless RT readers sent messages of support and solidarity to the RT UK team, with quite a few offering services to RT to help fight the indignation.

“Sending solidarity to RT in the face of outrageous actions by the banks backed by the British government. Anything I can do to help just let me know,” said Steve Hedley, Senior Assistant General Secretary of the RMT Union, Britain's largest specialist transport trade union.

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“RT has my support full support for what it's worth – Eire looks good round about now.”

“I for one support RT and wish to see it continue. Hoping things return to normal ASAP and keep doing what you do – it's obviously working!”

“I would like you to know that I am disgusted with the behaviour of the British Government in respect of its relationship with Russia. The rhetoric is at the very least undiplomatic, but I believe it signals a growing desperation as the realisation of the impending defeat of globalism sinks in.”

“Obviously, there is an attempt to silence RT in the UK by arbitrarily closing its UK bank accounts at Nat West and there probably will be both covert and overt attempts to take RT off air in the UK.”

“I’m both sorry and ashamed as a UK citizen to hear about the frozen bank accounts. Doubtless a move by Westminster, the BBC and Sky and the wider political establishment to gag free speech.”

“I’m both sorry and ashamed as a UK citizen to hear about the frozen bank accounts. Doubtless a move by Westminster, the BBC and Sky and the wider political establishment to gag free speech.”

“I cannot say that I agree 100% about every item you cover, but with very few exceptions, I consider your coverage far less biased, more in depth and better argued than the biased load of rubbish spewed by the BBC, Sky News and the UK press.”

READ MORE: UK move on RT 'part of EU policy of harassment against Russia-linked organizations'

Questioning UK freedom of the press

Debate surrounding RT and its practices is nothing new but most can agree that censorship at any level is something that must be feared by every branch of the media, with many Twitter users calling the surprising development in Britain and Russia relations a “violation of press freedom.”

Whatever u think of #RussiaToday, forcing its shutdown for political reasons is violation of press freedomhttps://t.co/rVDpQypzrk — Anthony Mills (@AAMills) October 17, 2016

Financial Censorship against Russia Today is testing the limits of American Free Speech advocates. They will not walk their freedom talk. — Renata Avila (@avilarenata) October 17, 2016

This attack on Russia Today @RT_com has huge implications. Not just 4 RT but 4 journalistic freedom & British democracy as a whole. #Orwell — VanityByNature 💎 (@VanityByNature) October 17, 2016

And just remember with this, the UK is already 38th in the Press Freedom Index - worse than Ghana, Latvia and Uruguay.#RussiaTodayhttps://t.co/t8A0zcupwD — Steve Topple (@MrTopple) October 17, 2016

READ MORE: UK bank to close RT accounts, 'long live freedom of speech!' – editor-in-chief

Looking for government hand

Despite a statement from British Prime Minister Theresa May’s spokeswoman who said NatWest’s decision is “for them to decide who they offer services to based on their own risk appetite,” many on Twitter have questioned the government's influence as they’re significant shareholders in the Royal Royal Bank of Scotland Group, of which NatWest is part.

The bank that closed RT's UK accounts is owned by Royal Bank of Scotland, which is controlled by the British government (73% shareholding) https://t.co/jMvINCYpu5 — Bryan MacDonald (@27khv) October 17, 2016

Regardless of whether you agree with @RT_com 's broadcasting, trying to silence them by taking away their bank accounts is just low. — Jamie McNaught (@jdmcnaught) October 17, 2016

If you think it is right for the British Gov't to close the bank accounts of #RussiaToday you also believe they should do it to @FoxNews. — Harry Leslie Smith (@Harryslaststand) October 17, 2016

British state mouthpiece BBC's bank accounts remain not just open but stuffed full of your money taken on pain of imprisonment @RT_com — George Galloway (@georgegalloway) October 17, 2016

READ MORE: 'The British establishment doesn't want people to 'question more''



Lashing out at NatWest

While the vast majority of online outrage over the banking decision seemed to be directed towards the UK government, quite a lot of criticism was aimed at NatWest themselves, with some even taking it further by closing their accounts.

Dear #NatWest you should stick 2 #banking & not try 2dictate our politics. I've just closed my account in view of you blocking @RTUKnews — Christina (@55krissi55) October 17, 2016

Whatever your views on @RT_com's impartiality, @NatWest_Help better have a good reason for freezing bank accounts https://t.co/EBBi4zRD7Y — Jerome Taylor (@JeromeTaylor) October 17, 2016

Most people I know would be happy to be dropped by NatWest. Saves them the hassle. https://t.co/QZ3ZKIuBam — Jack Stubbs (@jc_stubbs) October 17, 2016

Hey @NatWest_Help I read RT sometimes, is my bank account going to be randomly cancelled? — Damon (@DamonEra) October 17, 2016

UK can't stop newspapers being controlled by tax avoiders but can stop RT operating https://t.co/ZQ0t8i30en give me a break — Aaron Bastani (@AaronBastani) October 17, 2016

Now if Russia had done this to the BBC, imagine the outcry....



NatWest 'freezes RT's bank accounts' in UK https://t.co/5dV5rMxZbe — James Taylor (@Wagnerian1979) October 17, 2016