A SENIOR BBC journalist has apologised to Nigel Farage after suggesting that the former Ukip leader lacked the funds to maintain a bank account with Coutts.
The BBC’s business editor Simon Jack made the apology after a story published by the corporation suggested Farage had his account shut for “falling below” the private bank’s wealth limit.
Farage later acquired dossiers indicating his account was shut by Coutts, owned by NatWest Group, because it had found his public statements did “not align” with its values.
The original story was updated last Friday, with the BBC acknowledging “that the information we reported – that Coutts’ decision on Nigel Farage’s account did not involve considerations about his political views – turned out not to be accurate”.
READ MORE: UK to consider 'sanctions' over Scottish Government independence spend
It told readers that the headline and article had been updated to reflect the fact that the “closure of Nigel Farage’s bank account came from a source”.
On Monday, Jack tweeted: “The information on which we based our reporting on Nigel Farage and his bank accounts came from a trusted and senior source.
“However, the information turned out to be incomplete and inaccurate. Therefore I would like to apologise to Mr Farage.”
It comes as City minister Andrew Griffith summoned bank chiefs for a meeting to discuss how customers can be protected from “being de-banked”.
His letter to lenders is the latest Treasury response to the Coutts row, after ministers last week announced reforms to give customers greater protections against having accounts closed.
READ MORE: Scottish Government in 'urgent' talks to change Levelling Up Bill
The closure of Farage’s accounts sparked outrage among senior Tory MPs who piled pressure on Coutts and NatWest.
It saw NatWest chief executive Dame Alison Rose apologise for “deeply inappropriate comments” about him in official papers.
Coutts, the 17th-century bank which closed Farage’s account earlier this year, cited Farage’s retweet of a Ricky Gervais joke about trans women and his friendship with tennis player Novak Djokovic, who is opposed to Covid vaccinations, to flag concerns that he is “xenophobic and racist”, in documents seen by MailOnline.
Farage, in a tweet on Monday, welcomed the apology.
He said he had “also received a letter of apology from BBC News chief executive Deborah Turness, adding: “I am very grateful to both.”
READ MORE: Scottish Labour contradicted by UK party on key gender reform policy
Griffith told banks that, while the reforms have yet to be enacted legally, the Government “expects” that “firms should seek to take action on this policy as soon as possible and make best endeavours to implement”.
New measures include making banks explain why they are shutting an account, which was not previously required.
The notice period for a forced account closure will be extended from 30 days to 90 days.
The Government said the extension should give customers more time to challenge a decision through the Financial Ombudsman Service or find a replacement bank.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel