Law Firm Acknowledges "Serious Failings" in Treatment
Former UKIP leader Nigel Farage has criticized the review conducted by law firm Travers Smith, calling it a "whitewash." The review examined his debanking by Coutts, owned by NatWest, and concluded that while there were "serious failings" in his treatment, the decision to close his account was lawful and based on commercial reasons, not political opinions.
Farage Dismisses Report as "Mealy-Mouthed"
Farage expressed his dissatisfaction with the report, stating that it "whitewashed the decision." He criticized Travers Smith for taking a "mealy-mouthed" approach to the issue, particularly regarding the argument that his political views not aligning with those of the bank was not a political decision. He described this assertion as "laughable."
Coutts Staff Criticized Farage's Political Views
Documents obtained by Farage revealed that Coutts staff had criticized his political views. However, the report downplayed the leaking of his personal information to the BBC by then-NatWest chief Dame Alison Rose, stating that she believed he had publicly confirmed his status as a Coutts customer, albeit incorrectly.
Decision to Close Account Based on Commercial Viability
The review concluded that Coutts considered its relationship with Farage to be commercially unviable, citing his public statements on issues such as the environment, race, gender, and migration as reputational risks. These views were deemed to be misaligned with the group's "purpose." NatWest's chairman, Sir Howard Davies, apologized to Farage, stating that his experience fell short of the standards any customer should expect.
Did you miss our previous article…
https://hellofaread.com/politics/matt-hancocks-infamous-office-ripped-out-by-department-of-health/
