UK Govt Tells Banks to Uphold Free Speech as Blacklisting Scandal Deepens

Banks are to be told by the Treasury that they must protect free speech amid an escalating scandal involving the blacklisting of customers who hold views that are deemed verboten among corporate elites. The Telegraph has the story.

Jeremy Hunt, the Chancellor, is understood to be “deeply concerned” that overzealous lenders are closing down accounts because they disagree with customers’ opinions and has asked City minister Andrew Griffith to investigate the issue.

Whitehall sources said that results of a consultation on the subject will be published within weeks, after it was launched earlier this year in the wake of PayPal blocking the accounts of free speech groups.

The controversy flared up again last week after the leading Brexiteer Nigel Farage revealed his account had been closed by his bank. A vicar was also dropped as a customer after criticising his lender’s stance on LBGTQ+.

The Treasury is poised to recommend a more rigid notice period if payment providers, including high street lenders, want to close a customer’s account as well as requiring banks to provide more information about why they have decided to shut accounts. Regulators will be able to take action against banks that break the rules.

Officials believe that the recommendations can curb excessive behaviour by banks.

A senior Treasury source said: “It is absolutely a concern. No one should have their bank account denied on the grounds of freedom of expression. We expect to take action on this issue within weeks.”

Ministers are increasingly worried that there is a trend of closures affecting customers who hold controversial [sic] political views.

Mr. Farage last week said his bank accounts were closed “without explanation” and other high street lenders refused to allow him to transfer his funds to them.

Anglican vicar Reverend Richard Fothergill claimed that his Yorkshire Building Society account was shuttered days after writing to the bank to complain about its public messaging during Pride month.

A spokesman for Yorkshire Building Society said the company never closes accounts based on different opinions or beliefs, adding an account was only ever closed if a customer is “rude, abusive, violent or discriminates in any way”.

Government sources stressed that even people with extreme views should be entitled to hold a bank account if they have not broken the law.

The Treasury source added: “Banks and payment providers occupy a privileged place in society and it would be a concern if financial services were being denied to those exercising the right to lawful free speech.” …

Treasury ministers last week responded to concerns raised by Conservative MPs about customers who convey minority views having their accounts closed.

It came after Mr. Farage said his personal and business accounts with a major retail bank were closed because of a “commercial decision”, and other high street lenders have refused to allow him to transfer his funds to them.

Several former Brexit Party MEPs have also said their bank accounts were shut after they were elected to the European Parliament.

Meanwhile, in June, Barclays was forced to pay over £20,000 compensation to Christian ministry groups, after closing their accounts due to pressure from LGBTQ+ activists, who were concerned about conversion therapy practices.

The Treasury has also given the City watchdog ‘marching orders’ to review the operation of its politically exposed persons (PEPs) regime amid concerns that its application has been heavy handed.

Toby told the Telegraph:

I’m pleased this issue is on Jeremy Hunt’s radar, but I hope the investigation won’t take too long. There is no doubt that thousands of people are being penalised by banks and payment services providers for exercising their right to lawful free speech.

Indeed, the Free Speech Union has been lobbying the Treasury to change the payment services regulations for the last nine months and submitted reams of evidence about the scale of the problem. Since then, it has only got worse. The Treasury urgently needs to change the regulations to prohibit this new and sinister form of cancel culture.

Worth reading in full.

Stop Press: Amusing tweet from Adrian Hilton.

Source