No reason is given for the summary closure of accounts

High street banks are targeted charity leaders and civil society campaigners and shutting their accounts without notice or explanation.  

A spate of high profile figures have reportedly had bank accounts closed – including former politician Nigel Farage – after they were deemed as a ‘politically exposed person’ (PEP).

William McKechnie, whose wife is Dr Lesley Sawers OBE, the Equalities and Human Rights Commissioner for Scotland, accused RBS of 'discriminating against people because of their jobs'. 

Banks use a company which determines if clients are a reputational risk. If so they close their accounts often without warning.

McKechnie believed his account was closed because him and his wife were getting older and weren't making them as much money.

Dr Sawers OBE has been in the job since 2016. She has not been involved in any controversies in her job - but the role does deal with women's rights and LGBT issues which has been the reason for other accounts being closed.

McKechnie said: “I find what is happened completely unbelievable.”

Sam Morfey, CEO of leading charity Families Need Fathers, said that HSBC shut his account in April. Morfey insists he had no letters confirming the decision.

 “Without any warning, HSBC closed our business account in April, causing us major disruption, unable to receive funds or pay service providers and our trustees having to use personal credit cards to keep the charity afloat. 

“We tried on multiple occasions to contact their business managers, no response or reason was given, other than telling us we hadn’t responded to letters sent, which needless to say we never received. We have responded on time to all other previous online requests.”

Conservative MP Anthony Browne, a former chief executive of the British Bankers’ Association, said people were increasingly having their accounts shut down for saying something the lender disagrees with.

“Banks are entitled to decide who they offer services to, and there are very few protections for customers in this.

“One cause for concern is the increasing number of cases of people having their accounts closed down because the payment provider doesn’t agree with what they say on a particular issue.

‘It’s a major concern – it will have a chilling effect on free speech and freedom of belief.”

RBS, Santander and HSBC banks all said they retained the right to close accounts without notice.