Farage explores criminal claim over NatWest debanking

Published

3 months ago

February 13, 2025

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The Reform UK leader Nigel Farage is exploring launching private criminal proceedings against NatWest Group over the debanking scandal which resulted in the lender’s former chief losing her job.

Sky News has learnt that Mr Farage has instructed Chris Daw KC of Lincoln House Chambers to examine whether there are grounds for bringing a criminal case against the high street banking giant.

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The move appears to be deliberately timed to coincide with the publication of NatWest’s annual results on Friday morning, which will come just weeks before the government is expected to sell its last-remaining shares in the company, nearly 17 years after its £45.5bn taxpayer bailout.

Mr Farage confirmed to Sky News on Thursday evening that Grosvenor Law, which is acting for him in separate civil proceedings against the bank, had instructed Mr Daw KC to explore a private criminal prosecution, adding: “This is unfinished business.”

Dan Morrison, a partner at Grosvenor Law, said in a separate statement: “Mr Farage is concerned about possible criminal issues arising out of the bank’s conduct.

“We do not wish to provide further details.

“We have therefore decided to instruct leading criminal counsel.”

The debanking furore which claimed the scalp of Dame Alison Rose, NatWest’s former chief executive, in the summer of 2023 centred on whether the bank’s Coutts subsidiary decided to close Mr Farage’s accounts for commercial or political reasons.

NatWest initially claimed the motivation was commercial before Mr Farage obtained internal evidence from the bank suggesting that his politics had been a pivotal factor in the decision.

It sparked a firestorm under the then Conservative government, with Rishi Sunak and Jeremy Hunt, the then prime minister and chancellor respectively, indicating to NatWest’s board that they had lost faith in Dame Alison’s ability to lead the bank.

Since then, the City watchdog has instructed banks and other financial firms to do more to ensure that parliamentarians, senior public servants and their families – known as politically exposed persons, or PEPs – are not treated unfairly.

Mr Farage’s decision to hire Mr Daw KC threatens a fresh escalation against one of Britain’s biggest banks at a time when some argue that he has become the country’s most influential politician.

He led Reform to a handful of seats at last year’s general election, while his party finished in second place in scores of other constituencies.

The Reform leader’s close ties to Donald Trump, inaugurated last month for the second time as US President, have fuelled the sense that he may play an even more crucial role in shaping the identity of Britain’s next government when the country goes to the polls in 2029.

A recent opinion poll for Sky News by YouGov put Reform ahead of both Labour and the Tories for the first time.

Since the summer of 2023, tentative discussions between Mr Farage’s legal representatives and NatWest about a possible settlement have failed to result in any financial agreement.

Mr Farage was expected to seek millions of pounds from the company, alleging that the debanking row had damaged his reputation.

Despite the threat of a fresh legal barrage from Mr Farage, NatWest – now run by Paul Thwaite – is in its most robust financial health for decades.

The government’s stake in the bank is now below 8%, and a full exit is expected during the spring.

A NatWest spokesperson said it did not comment on individual customers.

UK

Man arrested at Luton Airport in connection with fires at properties linked to Sir Keir Starmer

Published

3 hours ago

May 17, 2025

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Man arrested at Luton Airport in connection with fires at properties linked to Sir Keir Starmer

A second man has been arrested in connection with fires at two properties and a car linked to Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.

The 26-year-old was arrested around 1.45pm at Luton Airport on suspicion of conspiracy to commit arson with intent to endanger life.

The arrest was made by counter terrorism officers. The man has been taken into police custody in London.

It comes after a Ukrainian man, 21, was charged with three counts of arson with intent to endanger life.

Roman Lavrynovych appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Friday and was remanded in custody.

Officers from the Metropolitan Police’s Counter Terrorism Command led the investigation because of the connections to the prime minister.

Emergency services were called to a fire in the early hours of Monday at a house in Kentish Town, north London, where Sir Keir lived with his family before the election.

Damage was caused to the property’s entrance, but nobody was hurt.

A car was also set alight in the same street last Thursday.

There was another blaze at the front door of a house converted into flats in Islington, also linked to the prime minister, on Sunday.

One person was taken to safety via an internal staircase by crews wearing breathing apparatus.

UK

Crystal Palace celebrate historic FA Cup win after victory over Manchester City

Published

5 hours ago

May 17, 2025

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Crystal Palace celebrate historic FA Cup win after victory over Manchester City

Crystal Palace are celebrating a historic win in the FA Cup after a 1-0 victory against Manchester City at Wembley.

It’s the south London club’s first major trophy – and third time lucky after losing two previous finals they have played in. The win also means Palace have qualified for next season’s Europa League.

Eberechi Eze put his side 1-0 up with the game’s only goal in the 16th minute.

Man City were given a chance to equalise when they were awarded a penalty in the 33rd minute, but Palace goalkeeper Dean Henderson – who had earlier escaped a red card for a handball outside the box – saved Omar Marmoush’s spot kick.

It briefly seemed the south London team had gone 2-0 up after a 58th-minute strike from Daniel Munoz but the goal was quickly ruled offside.

They then held onto their 1-0 lead until the final whistle, which came after an agonising 10 minutes of injury time.

Oliver Glasner’s team were the underdogs despite Manchester City having had a difficult season in the Premier League.

Pep Guardiola’s side also lost to their neighbours and rivals Manchester United in last year’s cup final.

‘It’s all about spirit’

Palace goalscorer Eze said he had “no words” as he celebrated with his team mates.

“I can only thank God,” he told ITV. “This is special, this is what dreams are made of, for this club as well. Who would have thought we could do it?

“We’ve made history today. The tactics were good but it’s all about spirit. That’s energy, that’s everyone fighting together and doing what we had to do today.”

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