2023-07-19
Arrr! The ex-leader o' th' Brexit Party be claimin' that th' scurvy dogs at Coutts be cuttin' him loose, all 'cause o' his political musin's! Avast ye, me hearties! What a tale o' revenge on these shores!
Nigel Farage, the former leader of the Brexit Party, has accused Coutts, a private bank owned by NatWest Group, of closing his account due to his political beliefs. Farage claimed to have obtained a 40-page document from Coutts after filing a subject access request, which mentioned words like "Brexit," "Russia," "Donald Trump," and "racist" multiple times. The Daily Telegraph reported that the memo revealed Coutts decided Farage's views did not align with the bank's values. Farage believes this incident raises questions about the political influence of banks. He also mentioned that other politicians may be concerned about being targeted next.Coutts stated that its decision to close accounts is not taken lightly and considers factors such as commercial viability, reputation, and legal requirements. The bank offered alternative banking arrangements within the wider group to Farage. Farage previously believed that he was deemed a "politically exposed person," leading to additional scrutiny from banks.
The UK government expressed concern about banks blocking customers based on their political views and has passed legislation to make rules for politically exposed persons less burdensome. British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak emphasized the importance of free speech in a democracy and stated that no one should be denied basic services due to their political beliefs.
Farage's allegations against Coutts have prompted media outlets and Farage's spokesperson to reach out for comments and a copy of the memo. The issue highlights the broader role of banks in politics and raises questions about the fairness of their actions.