NatWest CEO Resigns Amid Controversy: Admits Leaking Nigel Farage’s Finances to BBC News
The CEO of NatWest, one of the largest banks in the United Kingdom, has resigned after admitting to leaking details of Nigel Farage’s finances to BBC News.
Alison Rose acknowledged making a serious error in discussing Farage’s relationship with the bank. Last month, Farage, a prominent Brexit campaigner and political commentator, revealed that a major UK bank had dropped him as a customer, later identified as Coutts, which is owned by NatWest and caters to wealthy clients.
Farage believed the account closure was influenced by his political views. The BBC reported that a senior source at the bank stated the closure was due to commercial reasons, but Farage obtained a report indicating his political views played a role. On Tuesday, Alison Rose confirmed she was the source of the BBC report and issued an apology to Farage for the personal hurt caused.
Paul Thwaite, the current CEO of NatWest’s commercial and institutional business, will replace her while the bank searches for a permanent replacement. The UK government holds a stake of approximately 39% in NatWest.