First Direct and Natwest closing bank accounts for political reasons inc being gender critical

[Snorkers]

Apprently First Direct have closed the account of the Wings over Scotland founder for his beliefs (He's Gender Critical), and Coutts, owned by Natwest, closed Nigel Farage's account.
Whatever you think of Nigel Farage he is entitled to a bank account.

This is really worrying.

I bank with First Direct. I am gender critical. Do I need to hide my beliefs to keep my bank account? Will tey stop me getting access to my money?

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-12249755/Nigel-Farage-claims-three-loved-ones-bank-accounts-closed-Brexit.html

These "staff networks" have way too much power.

They are not treating all worlds as having equal status, they are exclusionary and undiverse - basically liars.

Exactly, one poster on here is obsessed with Farage, and accuses everyone else of peddling conspiracy theories, yet everyone else who've had their accounts closed have not had any explanation.

*all world views

The biggest conspiracy theory is that anyone who understands what a man is, is a Nazi, genocidal, bigot with irrational fears.

Lawrence Fox is informed by Barclays that he is a PEP despite not holding an elected political office. He struggled to obtain car insurance and Barclays today informed him that they will not be closing his accounts now.

I wonder if KJK will be considered one once Party of women starts? Wings over Scotland checked and he isn't a PEP.

If Our duty are found to be PEP will Stonewall and Mermaids? Are Stonewall allowed bank accounts if they are PEP and not their political opponents?

If belief in gender identity is political why are the NHS, schools, police and army taking one side?

fascismnounfas·cism ˈfa-ˌshi-zəm
also ˈfa-ˌsi-

Synonyms of fascism1
often capitalized : a political philosophy, movement, or regime (such as that of the Fascisti) that exalts nation and often race above the individual and that stands for a centralized autocratic government headed by a dictatorial leader, severe economic and social regimentation, and forcible suppression of opposition2
: a tendency toward or actual exercise of strong autocratic or dictatorial control

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-12262157/Equalities-chief-fathers-rights-charity-UKIP-councillor-claim-bank-accounts-shut.html

https://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/saving/article-12262905/All-reasons-bank-close-current-account.html?ico=mol_desktop_home-newtab&molReferrerUrl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.dailymail.co.uk%2Fhome%2Findex.html&_ga=2.27080701.1532822821.1687459995-1388466445.1685011689&_gl=110eyaoa_gaMTM4ODQ2NjQ0NS4xNjg1MDExNjg5_ga_XE0XLFFF16*MTY4ODQ4NTIwMS4xNC4xLjE2ODg0ODU4NDguMC4wLjA.

if you refuse to lie about something biologically impossible you get cancelled, if you lie you retain your bank account?

HSBC's small print says it can shut an account if the owner breaks the law, lies, abuses staff, withholds information, would cause HSBC to break regulations or breaks the contract 'seriously and persistently'.

Remember the first episode of The Handmaid's Tale? When the women discovered their bank cards no longer worked?
Prophetic.

BBC's Simon Jack starting to back pedal

Thank you to the Coutts customers who have been in touch saying they fall below financial thresholds but unlike Farage have not been threatened with account closure. Clearly a lot of discretion available to the bank.

It seems like the government needs to intervene here. Is it time for one of those parliament petitions? Banks can’t be allowed to discriminate like this.

It’s disturbing that we are already so far down this slippery slope. If activists on staff are closing accounts of people who write to the bank to criticise their Pride posturing, then it’s a very short step to the same activists shutting out anyone who donates to a GC crowdfunder or is GC on social media.

Thanks for this.

Hope you don't mind me adding Stephen Nolan's investigation for those seeking more information.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/p09yjmph

TooBigForMyYBoots I remember the relief I felt when that was broadcast. BBC Northern Ireland's contribution to rolling the genderwoo back.
Fingers crossed for the Mermaids/LGB Alliance ruling as that could either help or hinder the ongoing pushback.

I saw the Terence Higgins trust at Pride video, what's going on with charities?

Meanwhile...

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-12264723/Metro-Bank-blocks-gender-critical-parents-opening-account-signing-Stonewall-scheme.html

The bank account of Professor Lesley Sawers, 64, the Equalities and Human Rights commissioner for Scotland, has now been closed.

It also emerged yesterday that NatWest is allowing staff to go to work identifying as men and women on different days as part of LGBT-friendly measures. The bank has offered double-sided lanyards to staff who identify as non-binary, meaning neither male nor female.

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/b4d26da6-1aa0-11ee-8198-bf96b6365670?shareToken=d30e9e5f4748c4eecea17643946191ca

Stonewall has to be removed from all public facing organisations. It campaigns against human rights and is in conflict with the Public Service Equality Duty.

It also emerged yesterday that NatWest is allowing staff to go to work identifying as men and women on different days as part of LGBT-friendly measures. The bank has offered double-sided lanyards to staff who identify as non-binary, meaning neither male nor female.

It's the logical destination for all this tomfoolery. Certainly if I wanted to stick a pin in the inflatable monster it's become and start a slow deflation.

And since gender is a spectrum it seems rather oppressive to only allow 2 sides. Really a cylinder would be more appropriate.

Sorry i've not read the whole thread... If banks are political then they should tell us what their politics are exactly so we can make informed decisions.

The Our Duty group story in the Telegraph today

Bank ‘blocks’ gender-critical parents from opening account

digitaleditions.telegraph.co.uk/data/1386/reader/reader.html?social#!preferred/0/package/1386/pub/1386/page/3/article/NaN

Are there any proper banks left that don't follow Stonewall's Laws? I'm itching to switch from Santander, where I get that fucking 'Progress Pride' flag on every screen of their ATMs.

But I have no idea who I could switch to.

It would be useful to have a list. Perhaps the DM’s This is money section could research and list those banks which are Stonewall affiliated and those that are not.

Stonewall seems to be out of control and intent on pushing its lobbying priorities at the expense of everyone else including vulnerable women and children. Bank customers should not be forced into supporting them.

I'm enjoying the banks turning the screw on the foreign alt-right funded grifters. From Farage, Fox to the anti-trans movement and the climate change deniers. I have no confidence they'll do enough to shut them down and there are bigger targets they should be going after but, it's nice to see them sweat. It makes a change from them freezing Trade Union funds.

I expect the Bank of Farage to be set up shortly along with the Church of Calvin the cosplay vicar.

Leaving aside the whole politically exposed people, Farrage, Fox etc.

What I'm left wondering is are the banks actively searching out to see do potentially controversial people have accounts with them like is every bank searching their databases for specific people and then deciding to close their accounts? Is there a list they're working from or how are these people being identified, is someone in the bank just going in of a day and being like I don't like X I wonder if they bank with us

All I can say is be careful what you wish for.

My own thoughts entirely @miri1985

I'm willing to bet this involves a massive data protection breach. Searching for specific names or payments to specific organisations being flagged for instance.

Would it be the work if particular employees breaking IG rules or a policy enacted by the bank I wonder?