In a letter to the former Ukip leader, Dame Alison Rose insisted the assessment of Mr Farage ‘does not reflect the views of the bank’.

She stressed that ‘freedom of expression’ and access to banking were fundamental to society, saying she has ordered a review of Coutts’ processes. However, she stopped short of offering to restore Mr Farage’s relationship with the exclusive private bank, instead repeating the offer of an account with NatWest.

The letter emerged as the Treasury announced that UK banks will be subject to stricter rules over closing customers’ accounts, in an effort to protect freedom of speech.

[Wonderful think, subpoenas, as Wilford Brimley said in “Absence of Malice.” We can add press coverage to that equation. I’m actually surprised that the UK is taking action on this, given that debanking has become yet another way for the cultural elite to punish their opponents. Let’s see how far that goes before offering too many cheers. — Ed]