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Grant Shapps: 'I was asked for 18 years worth of payslips just to open a bank account'

The Jewish cabinet minister revealed that he and his family have all had issues opening bank accounts in the wake of the Nigel Farage row

July 30, 2023 11:17
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LONDON, ENGLAND - JUNE 13: Business Secretary Grant Shapps addresses delegates at the London Tech Week conference at The Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre on June 13, 2023 in London, England. A series of politicians and guest speakers have addressed London Tech Week, which touts itself as a "global celebration of tech, uniting the most innovative thinkers and talent of tomorrow." (Photo by Leon Neal/Getty Images)
1 min read

Grant Shapps has admitted that he and his family have struggled to open accounts at major banks following the Nigel Farage row.

The Energy Security secretary, who is Jewish, revealed that he too had been branded a 'politically exposed person' - the controversial tag that saw Nigel Farage lose his account at Coutts.

The Conservative politician accused banks of having "gone too far with this" and added to The Sun on Sunday: “Every single member of my family - my wife, my brother and my sister. All different banks. It is difficulty in getting an account.”

Speaking about his youngest son, he went on to say: “My 19-year-old son, he's just been sent an enormous letter, an enormous list of things that HSBC wants him to provide, which is as long as your arm and completely unreasonable.