Nigel Farage’s account at Coutts was shut down after the bank said his views did “not align with our values”, according to documents released by the former Ukip leader.
The former MEP’s stance on Brexit as well as his friendship with former US president Donald Trump were considered by the bank’s reputational risk committee which appeared to conclude he was not “compatible with Coutts”.
It comes after reports Mr Farage had his account closed because it fell beneath the financial threshold the bank demands.
But he said the documents, released to the politician after he made a subject access request to Coutts, stated he meets “EC [economic contribution] criteria for commercial retention”.
Writing in the Telegraph, Mr Farage described the file as a “Stasi-style surveillance report” and said the word Brexit appeared in the report 86 times – which, he says, “perhaps tells us all we need to know”.
Minutes from a meeting of Coutts’ Wealth Reputational Risk Committee, published by Mr Farage, said: “The committee did not think continuing to bank NF was compatible with Coutts given his publicly-stated views that were at odds with our position as an inclusive organisation.
“This was not a political decision but one centred around inclusivity and purpose.”
The document mentions Donald Trump 39 times and Mr Farage said: “The fact that I support Donald Trump is part of this charge sheet.”
It says he is seen as “xenophobic and racist” and that he said things in the past that are “distasteful and appear increasingly out of touch with wider society”.
I now have evidence Coutts LIED to me..
— Nigel Farage (@Nigel_Farage) July 18, 2023
In an explosive 40 page memo, “Brexit” is mentioned 86 times, “Russia” 144 & “PEP” 10.
Support for Trump + views on immigration, net zero & the vaccine are listed as reasons to exit me.
They say my account is commercially viable! pic.twitter.com/QjPCuUetu3
Mr Farage said in a video posted on social media: “From the tone of this document I must be one of the worst human beings ever to have inhabited this planet.
“But I guess if you were upper-middle-class, wealthy, London, metropolitan elite then that’s perhaps how you would view me, although quite what this has to do with banking and commerce I don’t really know.”
The Standard has approached Coutts for comment.
A Coutts spokesman told The Telegraph: “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.”
