The Telegraph has issued an apology to Will Bailey for posting a video inferring he didn’t pay tax in the UK.
The influencer called out the publication late last week after spotting his face on its social media feeds.
Bailey’s complaint centred around a reel in which features and columns writer Judith Woods spoke about British nationals stuck in the Middle East.
The journalist suggested those who relocated to the region to avoid paying tax in the UK should fund their own flights home amid the U.S. and Israel’s ongoing conflict with Iran.
This followed the announcement of government-chartered flights arranged to return British nationals from the Middle East.
Airspace in the region was temporarily closed and commercial flights were suspended amid the chaos. It has now partially re-opened, with major airlines operating a revised flight schedule.
While he wasn’t named directly, a snippet from one of Bailey’s videos was used in the reel, implying he was among the group Woods was referencing.
That, he says, was enough to inspire an influx of “terrible messages” and “threats” sent directly to Bailey and his family.
“Let’s clear one thing up right now, Judith,” he said while addressing The Telegraph in a reel of his own.
“I probably paid more money in tax last year than you have made in the last two or three years.
“So let me ask you this question: who’s the one not contributing enough to British life now?”
Bailey, from Manchester, called for The Telegraph to remove the video and apologise, stating the paper had committed defamation.
In an update shared over the weekend, the reel had been removed and a representative from the publication was in touch to offer an apology.
Where is Will Bailey Now?
Will Bailey, who’s sponsored by ESN, flew to Dubai the day before the U.S. and Israel began a series of strikes against Iran on February 28.
In an interview with the BBC, he outlined his plans to potentially relocate his online coaching business to the UAE and secure residency.
Dubai, in particular, has been cultivating a reputation as one of the safest and most prosperous places for entrepreneurs to set up shop.
But almost overnight, Bailey found himself documenting Iranian attacks on the city and surrounding areas.
The viral figure was “metres away” in a beach club when the iconic Fairmont The Palm hotel in the luxurious Palm Jumeirah was struck, leaving four people injured.
He provided several on-the-ground accounts of the situation, often soundtracked by loud bangs in the background.
According to the BBC, Iran has launched over 1,900 missiles and drones at the UAE since the war began.
Bailey is now back in the UK – for the time being, at least. He thanked “hundreds if not thousands” of his followers for tagging The Telegraph and helping get the video removed.
SEE ALSO: Gymfluencers HOT Vlog Channels: Introducing Will Bailey
