Nigel Farage: Papers show Coutts did close my bank account over my views

Private bank Coutts closed Nigel Farage's account because of his views, the former politician has claimed after obtaining documents via a subject access request.

The former UK Independence Party leader said he had got hold of a report from the bank’s reputational risk committee used to justify the closure.

“I believe Coutts targeted me on personal and political grounds, for its report reads rather like a pretrial brief drawn up by the prosecution in a case against a career criminal,” he said, writing in The Telegraph.

Mr Farage claims the report mentioned his comments about Brexit, his friendship with tennis star Novak Djokovic and a perception that he was regarded as “racist and xenophobic”.

“The most extraordinary comments of all are the areas of the report talking about me ‘not aligning with [Coutts’s] views’ and suggesting I must be barred because I do not support the diversity, policies and ‘purpose’ of Coutts, as though Britain is a political regime and I am a dissident,” Mr Farage wrote.

The BBC had previously suggested the Brexit leader fell below the financial threshold needed to hold an account with Coutts.

Coutts, the private banking division of the Royal Bank of Scotland in London. Bloomberg

Coutts requires its customers to borrow or invest at least £1 million ($1.3 million) or save at least £3 million, according to an eligibility questionnaire on its website.

But Mr Farage insisted the bank’s move “had nothing to do with my finances” and that the report found his funds were “sufficient to retain on a commercial basis”.

Mr Farage going public about his account being shut earlier this month prompted a debate about the issue.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said at the time that banks should not be allowed to close customers’ accounts because of their views.

He added that the right to free speech had to be respected “and that should not be an excuse to close anyone’s account”.

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What is myofascial pain syndrome?

Myofascial pain syndrome refers to pain and inflammation in the body’s soft tissue. MPS is a chronic condition that affects the fascia (connective tissue that covers the muscles, which develops knots, also known as trigger points).

What are trigger points?

Trigger points are irritable knots in the soft tissue that covers muscle tissue. Through injury or overuse, muscle fibres contract as a reactive and protective measure, creating tension in the form of hard and, palpable nodules. Overuse and sustained posture are the main culprits in developing trigger points.

What is myofascial or trigger-point release?

Releasing these nodules requires a hands-on technique that involves applying gentle sustained pressure to release muscular shortness and tightness. This eliminates restrictions in connective tissue in orderto restore motion and alleviate pain. Therapy balls have proven effective at causing enough commotion in the tissue, prompting the release of these hard knots.