Has Winston Marshall left Mumford & Sons? Rumours banjoist has ‘been kicked out’ amid row over tweet praising controversial Right-wing writer Andy Ngo
- The band are said to have held crisis talks on Sunday – a day after Winston, 33, posted a tweet in support of a book by Andy Ngo
- The band and their management are then said to have made the decision that Winston would be asked to leave the band after 14 years
- A source close to the band told the website: ‘Winston’s staunchly right wing political views have been causing tension for some time now within the band
- On Saturday, fans hit back at Winston and accused him of ‘endorsing fascism’ when he praised Ngo’s new book Unmasked: Inside Antifa’s Radical Plan to Destroy Democracy
- Ngo has previously come under fire for past associations with neo-fascist white nationalist organisations Proud Boys and Patriot Prayer
- Mailonline has contacted representatives for the band and Winston Marshall for comment
Mumford & Sons have reportedly ‘axed’ Winston Marshall from the group after he posted a tweet praising a controversial Right-wing writer.
The I Will Wait hitmakers – also comprised of Marcus Mumford, Ted Dwane and Ben Lovett – are said to have held crisis talks on Sunday – a day after banjoist and lead guitarist Winston, 33, posted a tweet in support of a book by Andy Ngo, claims The Sun.
The band and their management are then said to have made the decision that Winston would be asked to leave the band after 14 years.
Claim: Mumford & Sons have reportedly ‘axed’ Winston Marshall from the group after he posted a tweet praising a controversial Right-wing writer (pictured 2019)
A source close to the band told the website: ‘Winston’s staunchly right wing political views have been causing tension for some time now within the band.
They continued that a rift had been ‘forming for the past four years’ saying: ‘Marcus would always be an advocate for his right to free speech and for him to believe what he wants.
Adding that the decision had been ‘hugely difficult’ the source also alleged the band thought Winston’s tweet ‘impacted the band’s image.’
Mailonline has contacted representatives for the band and Winston Marshall for comment.
Hitmakers: The band- also comprised of Marcus Mumford (second right), Ted Dwane (end right) and Ben Lovett (second left)- are said to have held crisis talks on Sunday – a day after Winston, 33, posted a tweet in support of a book by Andy Ngo, claims The Sun (pictured 2019)
On Saturday, fans hit back at Winston and accused him of ‘endorsing fascism’ when he praised Ngo’s new book Unmasked: Inside Antifa’s Radical Plan to Destroy Democracy in a now-deleted tweet.
Ngo has previously come under fire for past associations with neo-fascist white nationalist organisations Proud Boys and Patriot Prayer.
In his tweet Winston wrote to Ngo: ‘Finally had the time to read your important book. You’re a brave man’ and posted a photo of the tome.
The book recounts how Ngo was attacked and ‘milkshaked’ by militant anti-fascist protesters in 2019 – along with the history and tactics of the Antifa movement.
Footage at the time showed Ngo being punched, kicked and covered in milkshake by members of the ‘Antifa’ movement.
Alleged: The band and their management are then said to have made the decision that Winston would be asked to leave the band after 14 years (pictured October 2019)
Ngo was seen attempting to get away from the crowd, some of whom follow him and throw milkshakes and other objects at his head.
At least three demonstraters from Antifa, the collective term for a militant progressive protest movement, who oppose the far-right, were arrested.
The writer tweeted afterwards that he was bleeding and had been robbed of his camera equipment and was heading to the hospital for treatment.
He said: ‘Attacked by antifa. Bleeding. They stole my camera equipment. No police until after. waiting for ambulance . If you have evidence Of attack please help.’
Adding: ‘On way to hospital. Was beat on face and head multiple times in downtown in middle of street with fists and weapons. Suspects at large.’
Tweet: On Saturday, fans hit back at Winston and accused him of ‘endorsing fascism’ when he praised Ngo’s new book Unmasked: Inside Antifa’s Radical Plan to Destroy Democracy in a now-deleted tweet
Backlash: Ngo has previously come under fire for past associations with neo-fascist white nationalist organisations Proud Boys and Patriot Prayer (pictured September 2019)
American journalist Ngo has garned attention and been criticised for portraying left-wing activists as violent and for the accuracy of his reporting.
In August 2019, a video surfaced showing Ngo with members of far-right group Patriot Prayer who later attacked patrons of a bar favoured by Antifa protestors. Ngo denied he knew the group were planning on instigating violence.
Fans quickly criticised Winston for his tweet – with one writing: ‘Certainly left a nasty taste in my mouth. I’ll be listening to anybody but M&S from now on.
Tweets: Fans took to Twitter to slam Winston’s tweet – which was later deleted
Another wrote: ‘This is so damn disappointing and really reinforces all the bad stereotypes about what it means when you hear ‘the sound of banjos.’ Supporting fascism ain’t a good look.’
Winston was wed to Glee star Dianna Agron, with the couple splitting in August 2020 after four years of marriage.
The notoriously private couple tied the knot at the Beldi Country Club in Morocco in 2016, following a whirlwind romance and lived in New York.
The couple were first rumoured to be dating back in 2015 when Dianna was pictured holding hands with Winston when she joined his band on tour in Paris.
Before marrying Winston, Dianna dated fellow actors Alex Pettyfer, Sebastian Stan and Thomas Cocquerel.
Winston is rumoured to have dated Katy Perry just before she got together with Orlando Bloom.
Rise to fame: The English folk rock band formed in London in 2007 and have become one of the world’s biggest acts (pictured 2013)
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