Former NatWest chief executive breached Nigel Farage’s privacy rights

The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) judged her actions to be “unacceptable” – however ruled that no further regulatory action was needed due the fact she had already resigned and that her former employer is conducting its own investigation.  

Rose stepped down from her position in July after she told BBC’s business editor Simon Jack personal details about Farage’s account at NatWest subsidiary Coutts – claiming the former MEP’s account had been closed as he had not met the wealth threshold.  

A subsequent internal report from the bank showed his account was closed partly because his “publicly stated views were at odds with our position as an inclusive organisation”.  

Explaining its decision, the ICO said: “We have been clear with the bank that these actions were unacceptable and should not happen again. However, in view of the fact the individual in question resigned and the bank has commissioned its own investigation, we do not intend to take further regulatory action at this time.” 

 
First reported in the Financial Times, it comes amid a growing expectation that the NatWest board is poised to dock Rose’s multimillion-pound severance package.  

A spokesperson for Rose said: “We weren’t told there was an investigation, we weren’t asked any questions, we had no input into the investigation and we haven’t seen the report, so we have no comment to make.”

NatWest said: “We fully co-operate with the ICO in its assessment of any customer complaint, but it would not be appropriate for us to comment on this individual case.”