- Farage accuses Travers Smith of concealing information in bank dispute
- Legal team escalates fight over NatWest’s closure of accounts
- Concerns over NatWest’s integrity amid ongoing debanking dispute
The law firm that investigated NatWest’s closure of Nigel Farage’s accounts, according to Farage, is “trying to hide the truth” as his legal team escalates the debunking dispute that began a year ago.
As he fired another salvo in his debunking campaign, former UKIP leader Nigel Farage demanded that a major city law firm disclose the information it held about him, accusing it of “trying to hide the truth.”
Travers Smith, the firm commissioned by NatWest Group last year to investigate its handling of the decision to terminate Mr Farage’s accounts with Coutts, the bank’s wealth management arm, has received a data subject access request (DSAR) from Mr Farage.
NatWest initially stated that the accounts were terminated for economic reasons; however, he compelled the company to reveal that his political views had been considered.
Subsequently, he issued a threat to initiate legal action against NatWest with the intention of seeking restitution for “reputational damage.”
Travers Smith’s evaluation was deemed “a whitewash” by the individual in charge of the GB News broadcaster’s banking arrangements despite the fact that the report identified deficiencies on the part of NatWest.
Mr Farage stated on Thursday, “The cover-up persists.
Travers Smith continues to play games despite the deceptive report that contradicts the information contained in Coutts’ Subject Access Request.
In their research, they determined that the notice to close the accounts was issued for economic reasons, not because my views “did not align” with the bank’s values.
Their DSAR has been requested at this time.
Mr Farage accused Travers Smith of “attempting to delay” the disclosures he had requested by asserting that “some of the material may be privileged.”
“We contest this on legal grounds, as this was ostensibly a non-legal investigation and not a legal proceeding.”
They are presumably attempting to conceal the truth from me.
Travers Smith stated it had no further comments.
According to sources with close ties to Mr Farage, his legal team requested copies of every iteration of the law firm’s report submitted to Coutts and every documentary and witness testimony presented in the course of Travers Smith’s investigation.
The ongoing debanking dispute coincides with the government’s preparations to commence a retail offering of NatWest shares worth billions of pounds in the summer.
The government has gradually decreased its ownership of NatWest over the past eight years, from nearly 85% at one stage to just under 30% at present.
“Invest in your future with Webull UK – get started with free shares.”
Undetermined aspects include the magnitude of the offering as well as the extent of the discount that will be extended to investors who participate.
Mr Farage has expressed concern that the erosion of trust resulting from the retail offer to the general public could compromise its integrity. This concern stems from the manner in which the organisation has handled him.
The emergency bailout that former NatWest CEO Fred Goodwin compared to “a drive-by shooting” prevented the bank from complete insolvency. NatWest had changed its name from Royal Bank of Scotland Group in an effort to shed the stigma of its arrogant overexpansion.
In excess of £45 billion in taxpayer funds were expended on its bailout.
