Nigel Farage claims Coutts closed his checking account due to his ‘values’
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igel Farage’s account at Coutts was shut down after the financial institution mentioned his views did “not align with our values”, in line with paperwork launched by the previous Ukip chief.
The former MEP’s stance on Brexit in addition to his friendship with former US president Donald Trump have been thought-about by the financial institution’s reputational threat committee which appeared to conclude he was not “compatible with Coutts”.
It comes after studies Mr Farage had his account closed as a result of it fell beneath the monetary threshold the financial institution calls for.
But he mentioned the paperwork, launched to the politician after he made a topic entry request to Coutts, acknowledged he meets “EC [economic contribution] criteria for commercial retention”.
Former President Donald Trump gestures after talking at Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster
/ APWriting within the Telegraph, Mr Farage described the file as a “Stasi-style surveillance report” and mentioned the phrase Brexit appeared within the report 86 instances – which, he says, “perhaps tells us all we need to know”.
Minutes from a gathering of Coutts’ Wealth Reputational Risk Committee, revealed by Mr Farage, mentioned: “The committee did not think continuing to bank NF was compatible with Coutts given his publicly-stated views that were at odds with our position as an inclusive organisation.
“This was not a political decision but one centred around inclusivity and purpose.”
Coutts financial institution
/ AFP by way of Getty ImagesThe doc mentions Donald Trump 39 instances and Mr Farage mentioned: “The fact that I support Donald Trump is part of this charge sheet.”
It says he’s seen as “xenophobic and racist” and that he mentioned issues prior to now which might be “distasteful and appear increasingly out of touch with wider society”.
Mr Farage mentioned in a video posted on social media: “From the tone of this document I must be one of the worst human beings ever to have inhabited this planet.
“But I guess if you were upper-middle-class, wealthy, London, metropolitan elite then that’s perhaps how you would view me, although quite what this has to do with banking and commerce I don’t really know.”
The Standard has approached Coutts for remark.
A Coutts spokesman informed The Telegraph: “Our ability to respond is restricted by our obligations of client confidentiality.
“Decisions to close accounts are not taken lightly and take into account a number of factors including commercial viability, reputational considerations and legal and regulatory requirements.”