HOSIE DEMANDS RBS ‘POLITICAL’ ANSWERS.

HOSIE DEMANDS RBS ‘POLITICAL’ ANSWERS.

CUSTOMERS VETTED FOR POLITICAL BELIEFS FOLLOWING TREASURY TAKEOVER

SNP Treasury spokesperson, Stewart Hosie MP, has demanded answers from RBS chief executive Stephen Hester over reports that RBS call centres were politically vetting business customers following the UK Government’s part-nationalisation of the bank.

Customers using RBS Streamline - a service by which retailers and other others can offer credit/debit card facilities – are apparently being asked about their political affiliation and whether they know any elected politicians. In one instance it was claimed the Financial Services Authority had requested the inclusion of the question.

Mr Hosie said:

“It is outrageous and totally unacceptable that customers are being asked for details of their political affiliations and contacts.

“What possible relevance could this information have in terms of the provision of bank services.

“It is especially questionable that this line of questioning was only introduced following the UK Government part-nationalisation of the bank.

“Stephen Hester must explain why this line of questioning was introduced, and who instigated it.

”I want some political answers of my own, such as whether any political pressure was applied by UK Government Ministers for such vetting.”