Freedom of the City for Rachel Riley after years of campaigning
Rachel Riley has received the Freedom of the City of London for her work in Holocaust education and campaigning against antisemitism. The Rachel Riley Freedom of the City of London honour was conferred at The Mansion House, where she was joined by family, friends and colleagues.
Nominated by the Lord Mayor, Alastair King, and Alderman Tim Levene, Riley was recognised for using a national platform to speak plainly about antisemitism and encourage others to challenge it. “Rachel Riley’s Freedom of the City of London is richly deserved,” said the Lord Mayor. “It recognises her courage in using her public platform to campaign against antisemitism, and her sterling work to encourage young people to find their own voice and call out racism whenever they hear and see it.”
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Read the articleAlderman Levene praised what he called a “profound public service”. “Rachel Riley is a truly deserving recipient of one of our city’s oldest traditions. She has become one of the UK’s most important voices against antisemitism, speaking with clarity and bravery at a time when it is needed most. We are not just recognising her considerable public profile, but her profound public service in the cause of tolerance and education.”
Riley has long been at the forefront of efforts to counter antisemitism. After being targeted online, she addressed Parliament at an event with the Holocaust Educational Trust. She received an MBE in 2023 for services to Holocaust education and antisemitism awareness. Reflecting on the Freedom, she said: “It’s such a huge honour to receive the Freedom of the City of London. Sadly, since I first began speaking out, antisemitism has only become more visible, and many Jewish people feel less welcome and less safe in our own homeland of Britain. But this Freedom is a powerful reminder that the work to challenge this prejudice is being valued, and that there are still wonderful British institutions and people who genuinely care about our community and stand up for what’s right. That gives me hope for the future.”
Beyond campaigning, Riley is best known to television audiences as the numbers expert on Channel 4’s Countdown and as co-presenter of 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown. She has also presented programmes for Channel 5, ITV and Sky Sports, and is an advocate for numeracy and STEM participation among young people, particularly girls. Her first book, At Sixes and Sevens, set out to help adults improve core maths skills, a project inspired by the home-schooling challenges of the COVID lockdowns.
The Freedom of the City is one of London’s oldest civic customs, with roots traced to the thirteenth century. Today it is offered to individuals to mark outstanding achievement or service to the capital and public life. Recent recipients include Robert Elms, Michael Watson, Sir Matthew Bourne, Sir Lenny Henry and Oti Mabuse.
Curious about the City of London’s ancient customs and the people shaping the City today? For intelligent coverage of civic life, culture and public service, follow EyeOnLondon and explore our City section for more stories.
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