Nigel Farage’s Coutts and NatWest woes sees the term ‘debanking’ added to the English dictionary
‘Debanking’ has been added to the English dictionary following Nigel Farage’s high-profile row with Coutts and NatWest.
The term has been widely used since the former Ukip leader lost his account at Coutts, whose clients include members of the Royal Family, after an internal report said his views did not align with the bank’s values and that he was ‘transphobic’.
The bitter feud led to the resignation of NatWest boss Dame Alison Rose after she falsely told a journalist Mr Farage’s views had not been a factor in the loss of his account.
The scandal sparked outrage over what was described as politicised ‘debanking’ of individuals based on their beliefs.
As one of the most notable words of 2023, the new entry in the Collins English Dictionary will read: ‘Debanking, noun, the act of depriving a person of banking facilities.’
‘Debanking’ has been added to the HaperCollins English dictionary after Nigel Farage’s (pictured) well documented row with Coutts and NatWest
The bitter feud led to the resignation of NatWest boss Dame Alison Rose (pictured) after she falsely told a journalist Mr Farage’s views had not been a factor in the loss of his account
Mr Farage was dropped from Coutts in June after an internal report said his views did not align with the bank’s values and found he was ‘transphobic’
Explaining why the term acquired currency in 2023, it states: ‘A different type of financial problem, debanking, also makes the list, after populist politician Nigel Farage claimed his bank, Coutts, tried to close his account because of his political views.
‘The issue was thrust into the spotlight and many others subsequently came forward to complain of having been debanked without explanation.’
Defence Secretary Grant Shapps and Richard Twice, leader of Reform UK, were among those to come forward to complain that their accounts were closed for political reasons.
Mr Farage also fumed when it emerged that serial killer Rose West was allowed to keep her Co-Operative bank account after his was closed because of his political views.
The GB News presenter told MailOnline when he found out in August: ‘It is quite extraordinary. If I’m the villain and Rose West is the good girl then something is very wrong here.’
Mr Farage added: ‘It just shows what nonsense this whole woke corporatism running through banks and businesses is. It is blatantly and overtly political.’
Earlier this month, bosses at NatWest were facing calls from Mr Farage to suspend staff who joked about wanting to ‘throw a milkshake’ at him.
The new entry in the Collins English Dictionary will read: ‘Debanking, noun, the act of depriving a person of banking facilities.’
A bombshell document revealed how staff privately boasted about having potentially ‘driven him out of the country’.
Another message said they would ‘pay’ to be the person who told him he was not welcome to use the firm.
Last week, Mr Farage fumed after a ‘whitewash’ report ruled that NatWest did not break the law when it shut down his account with establishment bank Coutts in June.
An independent review of the actions of NatWest Group ruled that while there were ‘serious failings’ in the way he was ‘debanked’, it was mainly a commercial decision.
NatWest apologised again to Mr Farage after the review by law firm Travers Smith found failings but said NatWest’s decision was lawful and predominately commercial.
In a statement, Mr Farage, said: ‘Travers Smith has taken a very mealy-mouthed approach to this complex issue. The law firm argues that my political views ‘not aligning with those of the bank’ was not in itself a political decision. This is laughable.’
Along with the term ‘debanking’, other words relating to political issues have been added to the English dictionary.
‘Greedation’, the increase in prices for increased profits under the guise of inflation, has been added – as has the acronym ‘Ulez’ which refers to Sadiq Khan’s hated ultra-low emissions zone in London.
‘Bazball’, a style of attacking Test match cricket introduced by former New Zealand cricketer and current England coach Brendon ‘Baz McCullum, has also been added.
These are some of the other words that have been added to the HarperCollins dictionary for 2023
Other words which were introduced including ‘de-influencing’ when influencers use social media ‘to warn followers to avoid certain commercial products, lifestyle choices, etc’ and ‘nepo baby’ to describe sons and daughters of celebrities whose careers are assumed to have had a head start thanks to the fame of their parents.
But the most notable word of 2023 has been named as ‘AI’ by Collins.
Alex Beecroft, the managing director of Collins, told the Daily Telegraph: ‘AI has been a big focus this year in the way that it has developed and has quickly become as ubiquitous and embedded in our lives as email, streaming or any other once futuristic, now everyday technology.
‘The cost of living crisis is also inescapable, with words like greedflation rising sharply, shining a spotlight on corporates. Other words in the list have also provoked interesting conversations, particularly around people’s health.’
Source: Read Full Article