Nigel Farage secures another victory in debanking battle as ex-NatWest boss dealt embarrassing blow

Nigel Farage secures another victory in debanking battle as ex-NatWest boss dealt embarrassing blow
Farage s debanking scandal GB News question Chris Bryant following his MERELY …
Millie Cooke

By Millie Cooke


Published: 27/12/2023

- 15:47

Updated: 27/12/2023

- 15:50

The Rose Review, an annual report which began in 2019, is set to be renamed following the debanking scandal

Nigel Farage has secured another victory in his battle with Natwest, as the bank's former CEO Dame Alison Rose is expected to have her surname axed from an official review into female entrepreneurship.

The change has been made in the wake of Nigel Farage's debanking scandal.


The Rose Review, an annual report which began in 2019, is set to be renamed. It examines ways of boosting women in business.

While Rose stepped down from the role in July, her surname remained on the review.

Nigel Farage

Farage had his bank account with Coutts closed earlier this year for politically motivated reasons

PA

Kemi Badenoch is said to be looking into rebrand the Review. It has paused official communications until a new title has been agreed.

Rose said: "I remain incredibly proud of the Rose Review and the great progress that has been made to unlock female entrepreneurship in the UK.

"Almost 200 banks, venture capital firms, angel syndicates and other financial services organisations, including private equity and pension funds, are now signatories.

"And while clearly much still needs to be done to unlock the potential of female entrepreneurship – which represent a £250billion revenue opportunity for the country – we are seeing positive momentum."

Farage had his bank account with Coutts closed earlier this year for politically motivated reasons.

In a recent independent review conducted by Travers Smith, NatWest admitted that there were “serious failings” in the treatment of Farage when they decided to shut down his bank account.


The closure of his account did not follow the bank's policies, according to the report.

Bombshell documents published earlier this year exposed the level of contempt held for the GB News presenter among bank staff, with one even threatening to throw milkshake over him.

Farage vowed to “keep pressure” on the Financial Conduct Authority over the matter of debanking, but admitted to being concerned about the group’s commitment to other issues such as “diversity and inclusion."

He said: “There’s a million people who have had their bank accounts removed over the course of the last few years.

“Many of them small businesses that have struggled horribly since. By the end of this year, they will have closed three out of five high street branches around the country.

“Many of them almost don’t want to take cash that comes from local businesses. This is a fight not just for me, this is a fight about a fairer, freer society.

“And you know something? I’m going to keep on fighting because I will not let them get away with it.”

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Alison Rose

While Alison Rose stepped down from the Rose Review in July, her surname remained on the review.

PA

The Government in October announced plans to amend existing rules to ensure banks, building societies and other financial services firms are not undermining people’s right to freedom of speech.

Chancellor Jeremy Hunt said during the Conservative party conference: “Nobody should have their bank account closed because somebody else decides they’re not politically correct.

“We’ll tighten the law to stop people being debanked for the wrong political views.”

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