Muslim charities still being debanked despite Farage furore

Published

11 months ago

January 29, 2025

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Muslim charities say they are still having their bank accounts closed without warning or explanation and face difficulties opening an account despite the political backlash after Nigel Farage’s high-profile debanking.

It means charities face obstacles in carrying out their work, with some even being blocked from providing humanitarian aid and life-saving operations, according to a report from the Muslim Charities Forum (MCF).

It found 68% of Muslim charities reported difficulties opening bank accounts, 42% experienced a complete withdrawal of banking services and 42% also had significant challenges with transferring funds.

This delayed payments which damaged humanitarian work, the report said.

Money blog: Your boss is probably spying on you at home

Real-life harms were outlined by charities anonymously interviewed for the research.

One charity running a hospital in a conflict zone was not able to pay doctors and nurses for two months. Another supporting Syrian refugee children with cancer in Turkey had a payment delayed for a year, “severely” impacting the timely delivery of care to the children. A third received an eviction notice from a shelter because a payment had not arrived.

But even when debanking did not directly halt a project, it damaged 44% of respondent charities’ relationships with partners, they said. Delays in sending funds or having their account closed led to a breakdown in trust, the MCF added.

While anonymous, the report included testimony from charities.

Real-world harms

One told the report author of danger to staff when payments didn’t go through.

“Our charity was operating within an area in the Middle East, payments were getting held up by banks,” it said. “Because of these delays, local vendors would come to our field offices demanding payment at gunpoint, putting the lives of our workers at risk.”

While Muslim charities make up a small number of the UK charities sector, Muslims donate more than any other faith group, according to surveys.

Having no bank account means charities are in breach of the law, the MCF said.

There is no legal recourse, however, for charities who have been debanked. In the UK there is no legal right to a bank account.

Charities have to defend themselves even if there’s no wrongdoing, often without knowing why an account is closed or a transaction hasn’t gone through, according to the report.

Why are Muslim charities being hit?

Five issues converged to make debanking a particular problem for Muslim charities, according to the MCF: alleged Islamophobia, “highly common” names of charity workers being on a terrorist list, risk-averse banking, operating in high-risk areas like Syria, and the challenges faced by charities more broadly – difficulty complying with or understanding banks’ due diligence requests.

“Evidence suggests that structural Islamophobia plays a role, with Muslim-led charities often unfairly targeted by banks for perceived risks without concrete evidence of wrongdoing,” the report, lead-authored and researched by Abdulsami Arjumand, said.

Among the recommendations laid out is for bank staff to undergo anti-racism training, to “improve decision-making” and “avoid stereotyping or perpetuating racial and Islamophobic biases”.

Banks are risk-averse in their operations and have been terminating and restricting relationships with clients perceived as posing a higher risk of money laundering or terrorist financing.

This has disproportionately affected charities, Mr Arjumand’s report said, particularly those working in or with Muslim communities.

Responding to the study, banking lobby group UK Finance said any decision to restrict access to or close an account, is only taken after careful consideration and based solely on the need to comply with regulatory obligations.

“We want the process of opening and managing a bank account to be as clear and straightforward as possible and welcome engagement from charity organisations,” said the body’s managing director of commercial finance David Raw.

“Having read this report, we have contacted the Muslim Charities Forum to discuss the issues they are facing, as this is an important part of enhancing services,” Mr Raw said.

“We have ongoing and regular engagement with the wider charity sector, humanitarian organisations, and regulators on access to banking matters. With their support, we recently launched a new guide for voluntary organisations to help with opening and managing bank accounts,” he added.

How can this still be happening after the Farage furore?

Unlike countries such as Belgium, France and Italy, there is no legal right to a bank account in the UK. Banks do not have to provide services to everyone who wants them.

The Muslim charities’ research echoes a point made by finance regulator the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in their investigation of debanking.

“An important question for policymakers is whether all individuals, businesses and organisations should have the right to an account, as is the case in some other countries,” it said in its September 2023 report on bank account access and closures.

The comments and report came after the highly publicised debanking of Reform leader Nigel Farage. His account with exclusive bank Coutts was closed after the lender deemed him a reputational risk and said he had alleged links to Russia.

“The time is also right for a debate on how we balance access to bank accounts with the threat of financial crime, as well as firms’ reasonable risk and commercial appetites,” the FCA said in their 2023 publication.

It pointed out that anti-discrimination measures in the payment accounts regulations don’t apply to charities and political parties.

After the debanking of Mr Farage the political reaction from the previous Conservative government was strong. It committed to bringing in “tougher rules to stamp out debanking”. No legislative changes were made.

The Treasury, however, told Sky News it was committed to new laws to prevent debanking.

“Banking services fulfil a vital role in the lives of millions of people and businesses across the UK, and the government is committed to bringing forward legislation to enhance customer protections in cases where their bank account is terminated by their provider,” a Treasury spokesperson said.

“Further details will be set out in due course.”

With the changes it’s understood customers will have to receive detailed and specific explanations when their account is closed and generally have more notice of closures.

But government stopped short of acceding to the MCF’s recommendation of establishing a legal right to a basic bank account for charities.

Methodology

Nineteen charities responded to the MCF’s call for survey participants, a response rate described as “low”, which demonstrates charities’ concerns about coming forward to talk about debanking.

Despite promises of strict anonymity, most charities feared the reputational damage of being associated with debanking, which the report said, can result in further banking difficulties.

As well as being carried out by the MCF, the research was supported by the University of Aberdeen.

Responding to the MCF report, the FCA said, “We know that some groups can face challenges accessing bank accounts. We recently set out clear expectations on account access and have been actively engaging with the sector to ensure that these are being met.”

“Smaller charities will benefit from the protections of the consumer duty. We continue to monitor data on account access.”

UK

Epstein files appear to show Andrew asking Ghislaine Maxwell for ‘inappropriate friends’

Published

14 mins ago

December 24, 2025

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Epstein files appear to show Andrew asking Ghislaine Maxwell for 'inappropriate friends'

A trove of newly released Epstein files include emails that appear to involve Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, while another suggests Donald Trump travelled on the billionaire’s private jet “many more times than previously has been reported”.

The US Department of Justice released at least 11,000 more files on Tuesday.

It went on to claim that some of them “contain untrue and sensationalist claims” about President Trump.

Here are some of the latest news lines from this release of Epstein files. Being named in these papers does not suggest wrongdoing.

Who is ‘The Invisible Man’?

Among the documents released is an email sent to Ghislaine Maxwell that speaks about “the girls” being “completely shattered” at a Royal Family summer camp at Balmoral.

It is dated 16 August 2001 and sent by a person referred to as “The Invisible Man”, who signed off the message as “A” – and is believed to be Andrew.

Sky News has come to that conclusion from reviewing the email address used, which is assigned to the Duke of York in Epstein’s contacts book and the chain of correspondence.

In the correspondence, “The Invisible Man” asks Maxwell: “How’s LA? Have you found me some new inappropriate friends?”

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has previously denied any allegations against him.

The Peru trip

Another email appears to show Maxwell arranging “two-legged sight seeing” for “The Invisible Man” during a trip to Peru.

She appears to forward to “The Invisible Man” part of a conversation between herself and another person.

The email says: “I just gave Andrew your telephone no. He is interested in seeing the Nazca lines. He can ride but it is not his favorite sport ie pass on the horses.”

“Some sight seeing some 2 legged sight seeing (read intelligent pretty fun and from good families) and he will be very happy. I know I can rely on you to show him a wonderful time and will only introduce him to friends that you can trust,” Maxwell said.

The context of the email is unclear and there is no suggestion of any wrongdoing.

Trump on Epstein’s jet?

The latest bunch of files also includes an email from an unidentified prosecutor dated 7 January, 2020, in which President Trump is mentioned.

The email accuses him of travelling on Epstein’s private jet “many more times than previously has been reported”.

It adds that President Trump “is listed as a passenger on at least eight flights between 1993 and 1996, including at least four flights on which Maxwell was also present”.

The email’s sender and receiver have been redacted. However, at the bottom of the email it says assistant US attorney, Southern District of New York. The name has also been redacted.

President Trump has denied any wrongdoing in relation to his relationship with Epstein, and being on any of Epstein’s flights does not indicate any wrongdoing.

Limousine driver report about Trump

One of the documents in the release shows a report made to the FBI that was recorded on 27 October 2020.

It includes an unverified claim by a limousine driver that he overheard the US president discussing “abusing some girl” in 1995.

The driver also mentions Trump said “Jeffrey” while on the phone during a journey to Dallas Fort Worth Airport in Texas.

A significant part of the statement, along with the driver’s identity, has been redacted.

The US justice department has said that some of the documents in the latest Epstein files release “contain untrue and sensationalist claims made against President Trump that were submitted to the FBI right before the 2020 election”.

“To be clear: the claims are unfounded and false, and if they had a shred of credibility, they certainly would have been weaponized against President Trump already,” it said.

Postcard mentions ‘our president’

Also among the documents is a postcard that claims to have been sent by Jeffrey Epstein, but has been refuted by the justice department.

In it, the sender tells the recipient: “Our president also shares our love of young, nubile girls.”

It’s not clear who “our president” refers to and the context of the postcard is also unclear.

The US justice department initially said it was “looking into the validity” of the postcard but later said on X that the “FBI has confirmed” the postcard is “FAKE”.

It cited reasons including a claim that the writing does not appear to match Epstein’s and another that the letter was postmarked three days after his death.

Row over unreleased documents

It is believed that many files relating to Epstein are yet to be made public.

There has been anger at the justice department’s slow release of the files, with politicians threatening to launch legal action against Attorney General Pam Bondi.

The deadline for the release of all the documents has passed.

“The DOJ needs to quit ⁠protecting the rich, powerful, and politically connected,” Republican congressman Thomas Massie said.

UK

Starmer makes cost-of-living promise in Christmas message

Published

14 mins ago

December 24, 2025

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Starmer makes cost-of-living promise in Christmas message

The prime minister has acknowledged Britons’ cost-of-living struggles in his Christmas message – and vowed that helping with the issue is his “priority”.

Sir Keir Starmer also urged members of the public to “each do our bit” and “reach out” to friends, relatives and neighbours during the festive period.

His message comes at the end of a difficult year for his government, with economic growth stuttering and Chancellor Rachel Reeves facing criticism over tax rises in the budget.

In a message recorded inside 10 Downing Street, Sir Keir said: “I know many across Britain are still struggling with the cost of living. Helping with that is my priority.

“But at this time of the year, which celebrates love and abundance, loss or hardship can feel even more acute.

“So call around to a neighbour. Check in on a friend or a relative who you haven’t heard from for a while. Reach out. It can make a huge difference.

“That is what Christmas is about.”

The prime minister thanked NHS workers along with members of the military and the emergency services who will be on duty on Christmas Day.

“Just as so many put their feet up, some truly special people will be pulling on their uniforms and heading out to work,” he said.

“Our NHS staff emergency services and the brave men and women of our armed forces, all playing their part, doing their bit to care for the nation and to keep us safe.

“Many volunteers will be out there as well. Serving food. Reaching out to help those lonely or in need.

“So on behalf of the whole country, I want to say a big thank you.

“As a nation, we should raise a glass to you this Christmas. But more than that, we should each do our bit as well.”

Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch used her Christmas message to talk about “Christian values” and thanked “everyone who has supported me during my first year as leader of the opposition”.

“It’s been the biggest challenge of my life,” she said. “But it’s also been a wonderful year. I can’t wait to get back to work next year to create a better United Kingdom.”

Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey spoke about the Christmas tree in London’s Trafalgar Square – an annual gift from Norway to thank the UK for its support during the Second World War – in his message.

While saying the tree may “look a little underwhelming” on first glance, the Liberal Democrat leader said it was a reminder of “friendship and loyalty”.

He added: “It makes me think about people standing together in tough times – whether against the Nazis in the 1940s, or right now in Ukraine.

“And yeah, it might not be perfect, but this tree in Trafalgar Square makes me think about families and friends looking out for one another right here at home.

“I can’t think of a better symbol of the Christmas spirit of generosity, love and hope. Of light in the darkness.”

UK

Details of King Charles’s Christmas message revealed – as he chooses to deliver it away from palace

Published

3 hours ago

December 24, 2025

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Details of King Charles's Christmas message revealed - as he chooses to deliver it away from palace

A photograph has been released by Buckingham Palace showing the King delivering his Christmas message again outside of traditional palace walls.

This year the annual address was filmed in the Lady Chapel inside Westminster Abbey, the second time the monarch has recorded it away from a royal residence.

The palace has revealed the abbey was chosen for the setting this year to reflect a major theme of the message, pilgrimage.

The full details of what he says are always kept secret until it is broadcast at 3pm on Christmas Day. The message is always seen as a deeply personal one from the monarch, as a rare speech delivered by the King without advice from, or consultation with, the government.

Westminster Abbey was seen as a perfect location to reflect the theme of pilgrimage with pilgrims visiting every year to remember the legacy of Edward the Confessor, whose shrine lies at the heart of the abbey. Around the walls of the Lady Chapel are 95 statues of saints dating from the building of the chapel in the 16th century.

The abbey, as the site of the King’s own coronation and that of every monarch since 1066, also has royal significance. The Henry VII Lady Chapel is the burial place of 15 Kings and Queens including Elizabeth I, Mary I and Mary Queen of Scots. Below the central aisle is the Hanoverian vault where George II and members of his family are buried. The Stuart vault is in the south aisle where Charles II, William III and Mary II, and Queen Anne lie buried.

It is understood the King takes a particular interest in where the message is filmed each year, favouring different locations outside of royal palaces over the past two years.

In the photograph, taken during filming, you can also see brightly lit Christmas trees used for another royal event in December. They were still inside the abbey following the filming of the Princess of Wales’s Together at Christmas carol service, which will be broadcast on Christmas Eve.