Nigel Farage claims ‘serious political persecution’ after bank account closures
Former UKIP leader says he is being forced out of UK by unnamed bank’s decision
Nigel Farage fears he may have to leave Britain after his bank closed his accounts and seven others refused his custom.
The former UKIP leader and prominent Brexit campaigner said “he had been given no explanation for the decision to close both his personal and business accounts”, reported The Times.
Farage did not name the bank but claimed the move amounted to “serious political persecution”. In a video posted on social media he said: “The establishment are trying to force me out of the UK by closing my bank accounts.”
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
The Sunday Times reported in 2019 that “man of the people” Farage banks with Coutts, a private bank founded in 1692 whose clients “include members of the royal family”.
Coutts is now owned by NatWest, which has “previously received complaints for closing accounts without reason”, said The Times. The art gallery account of socialite Tamara Beckwith was closed earlier this year.
Farage has given several unconfirmed theories for the account closures. First, he claims he has been designated a “politically exposed person”, or PEP, by the bank. PEP is a financial term given to “someone who holds a prominent public function” and who therefore can “present a higher risk for potential involvement in bribery and corruption by virtue of their public position”, explained the i news site.
His second theory relates to claims made in the House of Commons last year, alleging that he had received around £550,000 from the Russian state for his appearances on the Russia Today (RT) TV network. Farage has denied the claim, made by Labour MP Chris Bryant, and has asked for an apology.
He also claimed to The Telegraph he may have been the victim of “blatant corporate prejudice” because of his Brexit campaigning. Speaking to the paper, Farage said he may now have to “leave the country” after his bank accounts had been closed and his custom had been declined at several other UK banks.
“I’m beginning to think that perhaps life in the United Kingdom is now becoming completely unlivable because of the levels of prejudice against me,” he said.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Sorcha Bradley is a writer at The Week and a regular on “The Week Unwrapped” podcast. She worked at The Week magazine for a year and a half before taking up her current role with the digital team, where she mostly covers UK current affairs and politics. Before joining The Week, Sorcha worked at slow-news start-up Tortoise Media. She has also written for Sky News, The Sunday Times, the London Evening Standard and Grazia magazine, among other publications. She has a master’s in newspaper journalism from City, University of London, where she specialised in political journalism.
-
How much of a blow is ICC arrest warrant for Netanyahu?
Today's Big Question Action by Hague court damages Israel's narrative that Gaza conflict is a war between 'good and evil'
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
UK gynaecological care crisis: why thousands of women are left in pain
The Explainer Waiting times have tripled over the past decade thanks to lack of prioritisation or funding for women's health
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
'The Hum': the real-life noise behind The Listeners
In The Spotlight Can some of us also hear the disturbing sound that plagues characters in the hit TV show – and where is it coming from?
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
What next for Reform UK?
In the Spotlight Farage says party should learn from the Lib Dems in drumming up local support
By Richard Windsor, The Week UK Published
-
Is Nigel Farage heading to the Commons?
Talking Point Reform UK leader looks on track to 'turn British politics upside-down' once again
By The Week UK Published
-
First-past-the-post: time for electoral reform?
Talking Point If smaller parties win votes but not seats, the 2024 election could be a turning point for proportional representation
By The Week UK Published
-
Why the Conservatives are worried about Canada's 1993 election
The Explainer Nigel Farage says Canadian Reform Party are his 'model' for 'reverse takeover' of the Tories
By The Week UK Published
-
Will Nigel Farage be PM by 2030?
Today's Big Question Reform UK leader sets out two-election strategy for power but leaves door open to 'reverse takeover' of Conservatives
By The Week UK Published
-
Nigel Farage's return is 'nightmare' for Sunak
Speed Read Farage to lead Reform UK and run for Parliament, but even without election victory, party will put pressure on the Tories
By Arion McNicoll, The Week UK Published
-
How will honeytrap scandal change Westminster?
Today's Big Question Security procedures laid bare by spear phishing attack as focus shifts to 'political insider' being responsible
By The Week UK Published
-
Can Boris Johnson save Rishi Sunak?
Today's Big Question Former PM could 'make the difference' between losing the next election and annihilation
By The Week UK Published