BANKING

RBS closes gender equality campaigner’s bank account

NatWest subsidiary gave no explanation and will not discuss the ban with Lesley Sawers or her husband
James Beal
, Social Affairs Editor |
Poppy Koronka
The Times
Professor Lesley Sawers and her husband, Allan McKechnie, have been told by another bank that there is “a mark against her name”
Professor Lesley Sawers and her husband, Allan McKechnie, have been told by another bank that there is “a mark against her name”
James Beal
, Social Affairs Editor |
Poppy Koronka
The Times

A women’s rights and gender equality campaigner is having her bank account shut without explanation, her family said last night.

Professor Lesley Sawers, 64, the Equalities and Human Rights commissioner for Scotland, has been with the Royal Bank of Scotland, a subsidiary of the NatWest Group, for 32 years.

However, two weeks ago, she and husband, Allan McKechnie, were told that their joint account, containing thousands of pounds, would be shut next month. In a letter, RBS said that it would be ceasing its “banking relationship” with the couple and they would have to make other banking arrangements “outside of the Natwest group”.

RBS added that it was “not able to discuss this decision with you or provide you with any further information in relation