High street banks' partnerships with Stonewall exposed after accounts of customers shut down
HSBC, which allows customers to register as gender-neutral, is the top ranking bank in Stonewall’s annual Equality Index
PA
High Street banks have sparked concern over links to diversity schemes run by controversial charity Stonewall.
It has emerged that the majority of high street lenders are members of the schemes amid a backlash over the closure of bank accounts of some people with gender-critical views.
Stonewall’s Diversity Champions scheme includes guidance for employers on gender-neutral spaces and the use of pronouns.
The charity also hosts a top 100 index which keep tabs on employers and their diversity and inclusion.
Natwest, which is still one-third owned by the Government, is also linked to the charity
PA
HSBC, which allows customers to register as gender-neutral, is the top ranking bank in Stonewall’s annual Equality Index.
While NatWest, which is still one-third owned by the Government, is also linked to the charity.
It comes after a vicar who queried his building society’s Pride branding had his account closed and a Scottish blogger claims his account was shut due to his opinions on gender issues.
Other banks including Barclays, which offers private medical cover for employees transitioning, and Nationwide, which motivates staff to use pronouns in email signatures, are also among Stonewall’s top 100 employers.
Lloyds Banking Group was the only major lender which did not respond to questions about the scheme.
However, it was formerly named as the country’s top employer by Stonewall.
Previously, the Information Commissioner found that the index and the Diversity Champions scheme allowed Stonewall to exercise “a significant degree of influence over the policies that participating members operate”.
GB News presenter Nigel Farage revealed last week that his bank accounts had been closed along with two other former Brexit Party MEPs.
Rev Richard Fothergill, a customer of Yorkshire Building Society for 17 years, had his account closed just days after he wrote to the bank to complain about its public messaging during Pride month.
Barclays offers private medical cover for employees transitioning
PAStuart Campbell, who runs the pro-independence Wings Over Scotland blog, also saw his accounts shut by First Direct, owned by HSBC, which he believes was over his stance on gender issues.
Banks now face pressure from the Government to explain account closures, as Jeremy Hunt orders an investigation.
A spokesman for Stonewall said that it did not pressure banks on operational decisions, adding: “There are no requirements in the Diversity Champions programme over how members engage with any customers, and we do not seek to influence operational decisions for any Diversity Champion on matters such as these.
“Our Diversity Champions programme simply provides resources and guidance to support member organisations to include and support LGBTQ+ colleagues at work.”