Nigel Farage left ‘disgusted and appalled’ by 40-page Coutts memo labelling him ‘racist’

Nigel Farage left ‘disgusted and appalled’ by 40-page Coutts memo labelling him ‘racist’
Ben Chapman

By Ben Chapman


Published: 18/07/2023

- 20:02

Updated: 19/07/2023

- 07:25

A bombshell 17,801-word report detailed the decision to close the GB News presenter's account

Nigel Farage has been left “appalled and disgusted” by a 40-page memo from Coutts detailing their decision to cancel his bank account.

In the bombshell 17,801-word report, the bank said its cooperation for the GB News presenter should end due to differing perspectives with the institution.


The GB News presenter says new information released by the bank exposes “lies” told to justify their decision to remove his bank account.

It comes amid a row between Farage and Coutts which arose after their decision to close his bank account.

While Coutts briefed reporters that Farage failed to reach their account requirements, it has since emerged that the account was closed as he “did not align with their values”.

“It starts by saying my economic contribution to my bank account is sufficient to retain on a commercial basis. Are you watching, BBC? This completely tears apart the lie they were told”, Farage said on his GB News show.

“They also say in the report that there was a a lot of adverse press about me. There is a lot of positive press as well.

“The word Brexit is mentioned 86 times, I get the feeling corporate banks will never forgive anyone involved in the campaign.

FarageNigel Farage spoke about his banking issue days after picking up a top awardTwitter/Nigel Farage

“Appallingly, the word ‘Russia’ is mentioned 144 times. The word ‘racist’ is mentioned 12 times, I guess we could expect that.”

Farage added that his support for Novak Djokovic’s stance on Covid vaccinations was also given as a reason for his bank account closure.

“I was in Djokovic’s trophy room in Belgrade talking to his uncle while he was effectively under house arrest in Australia.

“You would think that I was getting ready for a prosecution for a really important trial.”

Another case highlighted by the bank was Farage’s decision to retweet a joke by British comedian Ricky Gervais, a comment that Coutts felt was “transphobic".

Farage said: “I still think it is brilliant, and I was happy to tweet it out. I just hope for Ricky Gervais’ sake, he hasn’t got an account with Coutts.”

The GB News presenter issued a draconian warning over what may come next for the banking system in Britain, saying Coutts’ move could become a more regular feature of society in years to come.

“If you’re a disruptor, Coutts may not want you”, he said.

“I’m not doing this just for me, I’m doing it for thousands of people who have had their accounts closed and who knows, many more to come.

“One line that may come back to haunt them is that I bet there are many Coutts customers who are pretty appalled by how they have behaved.

“I have done nothing illegal. I am speaking freely in a society which allows you to do so.

“I have to say, it isn’t just Coutts, this runs deep through our corporate culture. If you don’t align with their so-called views and values, you could be up for the chop too.”

A Coutts spokesperson said: “Our ability to respond is restricted by our obligations of client confidentiality. Decisions to close accounts are not taken lightly and take into account a number of factors including commercial viability, reputational considerations, and legal and regulatory requirements.”

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