Political pressure ended Dame Alison Rose’s NatWest career, says bank’s chairman

POLITICAL pressure ended Dame Alison Rose’s NatWest career, the bank’s chairman said yesterday.

Sir Howard Davies admitted the reaction to Nigel Farage’s “de-banking” signed the former boss’s death warrant.

He called her position “untenable” just hours after the NatWest board backed Rose to continue.

The boss of NatWest-owned Coutts also quit after Mr Farage accessed a bank dossier showing his political views cost him his account.

It said his opinions “were at odds” with the “inclusive” bank.

Mr Farage wants the whole NatWest board out after his bank details were leaked to the BBC.

Sir Howard, due to stand down next year, said he was staying to ensure the bank “remains sound, stable and able to support our 19 million customers”.

Mr Davies spoke after taxpayer-backed NatWest reported a £1billion rise in profits on the back of higher interest rates.

Mr Farage said “The whole sector is making massive profits whilst treating the public badly”.