BBC makes grovelling apology to Nigel Farage over Coutts bank closure story

THE BBC has made a grovelling apology to Nigel Farage for pumping out Coutt’s incorrect spin.

The Beeb’s Business Editor, Simon Jack, said sorry for his false report that the elite bank had dropped the ex-Brexit Party boss because he didn’t have enough money in his account.

He claimed he had relied on a “trusted and senior source” – but later it emerged the bank had dropped him for his political views and worries he would damage their reputation.

Mr Jack said on Twitter this afternoon: “The information on which we based our reporting on Nigel Farage and his bank accounts came from a trusted and senior source. 

“However the information turned out to be incomplete and inaccurate.

“Therefore I would like to apologise to Mr Farage.”

BBC News CEO Deborah Turness has also written to Mr Farage to say sorry.

Tory MP David Davis said “Quite right too. Frankly, as a national broadcaster not subject to commercial pressures, it should have done the decent thing more quickly. But better late than never.”

Last week it was revealed that Mr Jack was sat next to the NatWest CEO Alison Rose – which owns Coutts – at a dinner the day before his story broke.

Mr Farage has written to the Information Commissioner about how his personal data was used by NatWest group.

Coutts did not give Mr Farage a reason for shutting down his account, despite banking them for many years.

It emerged that last November chiefs met to look at whether he should be allowed to stay – saying he was “racist” and their views didn’t align with his.

The news sparked a huge backlash – with ministers insisting everyone should be allowed access to a bank account regardless of their political views.

Mr Farage was subsequently offered a new deal with NatWest instead.

Dame Alison Rose has also said sorry for the “deeply inappropriate” comments – and ordered a full review of how Coutts reviews banking processes.