Ex-police officer reveals battle with NatWest to access disability payments after account was closed
NatWest bank closed the account of a disabled former police officer without warning and refused to explain why, GB News has heard
GB News
NatWest bank closed the account of a disabled former police officer without warning and refused to explain why, GB News has heard.
It comes after Nigel Farage announced the launch of a website to support people who have been de-banked after his Coutts account was closed because his views did not "align with its purpose and values".
Farage said the campaign is to "help people to understand how to put in subject access requests" in a bid to "find out the truth".
Anthony Seale, from Wilmslow in Cheshire, told GB News his account was suddenly closed in 2021.
Nigel Farage announced the launch of a website to support people who have been de-banked after his Coutts account was closed because his views did not 'align with its purpose and values'
GB NewsHe said: “I sent various emails, I made various phone calls. I attended the branch.
“Each time they said it was a decision that they did not take lightly and it was only after very careful consideration. I’ve still not been given an explanation as to why.
“They gave me no notice whatsoever. I basically logged online to find I was restricted, I couldn't access my online banking.”
Farage launched his campaign after Dame Alison Rose quit as NatWest's chief executive over the leaking of an inaccurate story about his finances.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:
- Disgraced Coutts CEO Peter Flavel quits after row over Nigel Farage's bank accounts but says he's 'proud' of record in top job
- Ex-NatWest chief in line for multi-million-pound payoff following Farage Coutts row
- Nigel Farage announces next move in Coutts debanking scandal as he vows to expose industry's secrets
Peter Flavel, who became Coutts' boss in 2016, stepped down with immediate effect after the ex-Brexit Party leader called for more to follow Rose out the door.
In a discussion with Mark Longhurst and Pip Tomson, Seale continued: “I don't think even NatWest know what they're doing, because back in October of 2021…they sent me an invitation to open up another account, a foundation account.
“I applied because I was invited to, and then they declined me yet again. That is now on my credit file…
“I made an inquiry with the FCA, the Financial Conduct Authority, back in 2021, and they didn't want to know.”
Peter Flavel, who became Coutts' boss in 2016, stepped down with immediate effect after the ex-Brexit Party leader called for more to follow Rose out the door
PAHe added: “I suffer from mental health [issues], when I was going through mental health therapy at that time, I couldn't use the NHS because of the waiting lists.
“We all know how much stretched the NHS are, so I wanted to use private funds that was in there, in my bank account that was from the DWP from Personal Independence Payments.
“That money was frozen from me and I had to cancel my therapy, because they wouldn't they wouldn't give me access to it.”
He said he felt insulted to be offered £100 compensation when he threatened to take legal action.
Mr Seale said: “I’m an advocate for survivors of abuse. I won't shy away from that on my social media…should they be allowed to use that when making decisions? Again, I don't think they know exactly what they're doing.”