Should Banks Be Able To Close Accounts If They Do Not Like Your Opinion

But it is not a new issue and something is being done about it.

Casdon

But it is not a new issue and something is being done about it.

It may not be a new issue and whatever is being done is not being done quick enough.

I will repeat what I posted upthread Martin Lewis has said in the media that unbanking is affecting approximately one million people. Think about it, that’s one million people and their dependents with their life on hold, reliant on family and friends for what you and I take for granted.

How many of these individuals were/are able to get paid cash?
If they are in receipt of benefits, how do they get access to them without a bank account?

It is virtually impossible to live in the U.K. in the 21st century without a bank account of some kind.

nanna8

So the banks are now policemen are they? No wonder people go offshore.

Yes banks are policemen along with other professionals who are liable aiding crime, it’s called “due dilligence”, they are now very careful not to get involved in anything dodgy.

I will repeat what I posted upthread Martin Lewis has said in the media that unbanking is affecting approximately one million people
One million people cannot be dodgy dealers, surely?

Perhaps some are just struggling and banks make it far worse with punitive charges so people go deeper and deeper into debt.
Perhaps that is why the Ombudman often finds in their favour and force banks to refund the charges.

The person then finds they will be "debanked".

Unbanked?

GrannyGravy13

Casdon

But it is not a new issue and something is being done about it.

It may not be a new issue and whatever is being done is not being done quick enough.

I will repeat what I posted upthread Martin Lewis has said in the media that unbanking is affecting approximately one million people. Think about it, that’s one million people and their dependents with their life on hold, reliant on family and friends for what you and I take for granted.

How many of these individuals were/are able to get paid cash?
If they are in receipt of benefits, how do they get access to them without a bank account?

It is virtually impossible to live in the U.K. in the 21st century without a bank account of some kind.

I’m not disputing what Martin Lewis said, but to repeat what I said before, we don’t know any of the detail. There are many reasons why bank accounts are closed, the majority of those reasons are highly likely to be unrelated to the issues now being discussed. I posted a link to all the other reasons above.

It could be 50 people, or 500 people, or 5000 people, or it could be 50,000 people affected because they have been identified as a risk for whatever political or other discriminatory reason. Until we get behind the hype, actually we, or Martin Lewis, don’t have any comprehension of the scale of this specific issue.

So I am willing to accept that it is possible that it is a growing issue, particularly in these straightened times. It should never happen once of course But I still think that the panic is unnecessary.

However I absolutely will not accept Farage’s assertion that the banks are acting politically, simply to suit his agenda. And I am astonished at how easily he is able to manipulate the media. The man is a menace.

Strange how there was never this level of concern when sex workers’ were going to the media because their bank accounts had been closed down. But boo hoo, some rich protofascist with ties to Russia is seen as a risk.

Turns out Farage’s personal Coutts account was closed because he doesn’t have enough money. He says now that he has enough in his business account (thus, note, tacitly admitting that Coutts are telling the truth) but one can’t have a business account at Coutts without a personal account.

When they closed his Voutts account, they offered him accounts with Nat West. He added st they have done so, although disputes how quickly they did so.

So the (non) story in this instance is ‘Farage continues lifetime habit of blaming others for everything’.

Sorry. Coutts not Voutts and ‘He added st’ should be He agreed.

AmberSpyglass

Strange how there was never this level of concern when sex workers’ were going to the media because their bank accounts had been closed down. But boo hoo, some rich protofascist with ties to Russia is seen as a risk.

If they were soliciting in a public place that is illegal so they were earning money through criminal activities - a bank wouldn’t knowingly shelter illegal earnings.

Banks making decisions on who can hold accounts based on political opinions is very wrong and scary. I am glad Jeremy Hunt is looking into it.

Anniel if you were speaking of Chris Bryant MP, he is the MP for the Rhondda.

Anniel

I was asked for links about the Vicar’s bank closure, so here are two

anglicanmainstream.org/vicar-accuses-yorkshire-building-society-of-bullying-for-closing-his-account-over-his-trans-protest/

www.thetimes.co.uk/article/building-society-closed-vicar-s-account-after-trans-protest-d0p7vmrbm

Re WWM2. It seems that newspapers, govt statements, radio,stations and social media are worried that banks can close your account if they do not like you political opinion. The government says it will act to stop this practice,
I am not a Farage supporter but I find this is a dangerous precedent. If Farage,took money in large,amounts then the Member for Swansea should make his allegation in public. Using parliamentary privilege to accuse anyone of dirty dealing but not be prepared to say so publicly is sheer cowardice and uncertainty. Will the banks treat those on the left in the same way?
P

I can't read the second link as I won't subscribe, but isn't the first one a bit pot/kettle?

Siope

Turns out Farage’s personal Coutts account was closed because he doesn’t have enough money. He says now that he has enough in his business account (thus, note, tacitly admitting that Coutts are telling the truth) but one can’t have a business account at Coutts without a personal account.

When they closed his Voutts account, they offered him accounts with Nat West. He added st they have done so, although disputes how quickly they did so.

So the (non) story in this instance is ‘Farage continues lifetime habit of blaming others for everything’.

Where are you reading this please?

Your post does have the right ring about it. I would just like to read it for myself somewhere.

Apparently after his account with outstanding was closed because he didn't have enough money, he was then offered an account with NatWest, who own Coutts.

This is a non story.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-66097039.amp

I think it's absolutely shocking if it's been closed because of his views and comments. We are a democracy and free speaking country. He isn't relaying anything that isn't true .. and what alot of people think but are frightened to say anymore. If we can't speak our minds in the UK.. I don't know what to think will happen

If this is the reason why didn’t the ghastly man keep his big mouth shut?

Germanshepherdsmum

If this is the reason why didn’t the ghastly man keep his big mouth shut?

Because it was an opportunity to get attention, no more no less

Germanshepherdsmum

If this is the reason why didn’t the ghastly man keep his big mouth shut?

Because he tried to make political capital out of it.

It’s backfired hasn’t it? And if he’s been offered an account with NatWest why not quietly accept? I suppose it doesn’t have the cachet of Coutts. Man of the people my a**e.

Look how so many were lead by the nose - he really is an absolute shocker.

I feel the same about Farage as I have always felt about Johnson.

They are dangerous and never ever to be trusted or believed.

My son and daughter in law have been living in Dubai for the past 6 years and are in the fortunate position of being able to pay cash for a very substantial house now they are returning to the UK, it took about 3 months to convince the bank that the money wasn’t laundered, they are absolutely paranoid about it

Germanshepherdsmum

If this is the reason why didn’t the ghastly man keep his big mouth shut?

I would guess that in addition to trying to make political capital out of it, he assumed that confidentiality to a customer would prevent Coutts publicly setting the record straight.

Of course, he’s no longer a customer, and Coutts/NatWest clearly believe that defending their business practices is more important than his future custom.