![](\"https:\/\/cdn.images.express.co.uk\/img\/dynamic\/139\/590x\/secondary\/4840584.jpg?r=1688583477054\")
<\/p>\n
Mr Farage hit back at the explanation, which was also reported by the FT, saying he hadn\u2019t been at the minimum threshold mark for years.<\/p>\n
One of the BBC reporters who broke the story later clarified this was also the case for many Coutts customers who had contacted him saying they were below the criteria but had not been threatened with account closure.<\/p>\n
\u201cClearly a lot of discretion available to the bank,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n
We headed down to Coutts\u2019 headquarters in one of London\u2019s most exclusive postcodes in an effort to answer the question Mr Farage himself asked on Twitter: \u201cWhat made the bank think that giving out my personal financial details to the FT and BBC was ethical or legal?\u201d<\/p>\n
Unfortunately, most employees at the world\u2019s eighth-oldest bank were unwilling or unable to provide an explanation.<\/p>\n
We asked scores of bank employees whether it was normal for the reason behind an account closure to be provided to the press or indeed if an individual’s details would be discussed with anyone other than the owner.<\/p>\n
In response, employees shrugged, pulled faces, ignored us and said \u201cNo comment.\u201d<\/p>\n
The one employee who did stop to answer our questions appeared confused as to why journalists would be given such information.<\/p>\n
We asked him whether it was normal or right for the BBC to be told why an account would to which he replied: \u201cit doesn\u2019t sound so.\u201d The staff member added they weren\u2019t aware of it happening with anyone else.<\/p>\n
Amongst the customers we spoke to one confirmed they didn\u2019t meet the \u00a31million threshold and hadn\u2019t done for years. Another said she believed such details should be provided to the press while her husband \u201cdidn\u2019t give a damn.\u201d<\/p>\n
Don’t miss… <\/strong> We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info<\/p>\n After an hour of trying to get an answer from employees leaving the building, we headed inside.<\/p>\n Before we could climb aboard the escalator leading to what we can only imagine is a grand main lobby we were met by reception staff who politely told us the press team had been informed.<\/p>\n It was even suggested someone may come downstairs to answer our questions.<\/p>\n Willing to hear them out we gave them an hour-and-a-half to provide a spokesman. But when the deadline was hit, no one emerged.<\/p>\n Instead, we were directed to a phone number for a press officer.<\/p>\n Dialing them up from the pavement outside we were told \u201cNo, it would not be possible\u201d to speak to a representative.<\/p>\n They did give us their email address for us to send our questions, but the answer matched the line from staff outside.<\/p>\n \u201cIt is a no comment from us on this,\u201d the spokesman wrote. \u201cFor info, we don\u2019t comment on individual customers or their accounts with us.\u201d<\/p>\n This brings us back to the question we headed to central London with: Why would the BBC know the reasons for a Coutts customer\u2019s account closing?<\/p>\n
Banks should end this virtue-signalling and stick to looking after money[ANALYSIS] <\/strong>
Nigel Farage’s bank left red-faced as customers rip excuse to shreds[REVEAL] <\/strong>
If I had a NatWest account I’d be closing it after bank’s attack on Farage[INSIGHT] <\/strong><\/p>\n