Summary of complaint
We received complaints from people who feel we have given too much coverage to the row over the closure of Nigel Farage’s Coutts bank account.
Our response
The circumstances surrounding the closure of Nigel Farage’s bank account at Coutts, a subsidiary of NatWest, and the subsequent fallout, has had implications wider than the personal financial arrangements of the former UKIP and Brexit Party leader. Mr Farage has been a prominent and influential figure in British politics for many years; while Coutts’ decision to withhold banking services from him, partly due to political considerations, is a significant story in itself, this has also provoked broader conversations about banking practice, the prospect of tighter regulations, the legitimacy of a bank determining not to serve an individual because of their political views, and client confidentiality. Our coverage has offered analysis of all the issues highlighted. As is fair, we have reflected Mr Farage’s position throughout our reporting.
The UK taxpayer is a 39% shareholder in NatWest. The bank’s handling of this case has resulted in interventions from senior members of the government, including the prime minister and chancellor, and the Financial Conduct Authority.
We have reported on developments in this story as they have occurred. When documents obtained by Mr Farage following his subject access request showed that 91¸£ÀûÉç News’ initial coverage turned out not to be accurate, we apologised to Mr Farage and acknowledged this on the 91¸£ÀûÉç Corrections and Clarifications site:
/helpandfeedback/corrections_clarifications
Dame Alison Rose’s admission that she had been the source of the 91¸£ÀûÉç’s inaccurate information led to her resignation as NatWest CEO.
We believe our reporting of this story has been proportionate and legitimate, reflecting the significance of the issues at hand.