Former Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage has leveled new accusations against private bank Coutts, claiming his account was closed due to his political stances. In a video posted on Twitter, Farage stated he obtained a 40-page document through a subject access request, revealing the bank's rationale for closing his account. The document, according to Farage, contains numerous mentions of "Brexit," "Russia," "Donald Trump," and labels like "racist." While initial reports suggested the account closure was due to Farage falling below the financial threshold, he denies any knowledge of such a requirement. Coutts, part of the taxpayer-backed NatWest Group, has maintained that account closures are based on various factors, including commercial viability, reputation, and legal compliance. However, a British newspaper, The Daily Telegraph, reported that the memo indicated Coutts found Farage's views misaligned with their values. Farage expressed concern that this incident raises broader questions about the politicization of banks and the potential implications for others in prominent political positions. He previously believed his classification as a "politically exposed person" (PEP) might have contributed to the closure, subjecting his accounts to increased scrutiny. The UK government has addressed concerns about banks blocking customers based on political views and has enacted legislation to ease regulations for PEPs. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak affirmed that denying basic services based on political views is unacceptable and emphasized the importance of free speech in a democracy.

Image caption: Nigel Farage in an interview. (Fox News Digital)