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Russia Today bank accounts 'frozen in UK' NatWest freezes Russia Today's bank accounts in the UK
(35 minutes later)
The UK has frozen all bank accounts owned by Russia's state-run broadcaster, Russia Today (RT), its editor-in-chief has claimed. NatWest bank has frozen the accounts of state-run broadcaster Russia Today (RT), its editor-in-chief says.
Margarita Simonyan tweeted: "They've closed our accounts in Britain. All our accounts. 'The decision is not subject to review.' Praise be to freedom of speech!"Margarita Simonyan tweeted: "They've closed our accounts in Britain. All our accounts. 'The decision is not subject to review.' Praise be to freedom of speech!"
RT has previously been sanctioned by Ofcom for biased reporting on the conflicts in Ukraine and Syria. RT says the bank gave no explanation for its decision.
It said the entire Royal Bank of Scotland Group, of which NatWest is part, was refusing to service RT.
The broadcaster says NatWest wrote to its London office, saying: "We have recently undertaken a review of your banking arrangements with us and reached the conclusion that we will no longer provide these facilities."
The bank said its decision was final and it is "not prepared to enter into any discussion."
Are we entering a new Cold War?
Ofcom backs BBC in Russian TV case
He added that in order to "keep the pressure up", further sanctions against the Syrian regime "and their supporters" would be considered.
RT, which is run by the Kremlin, has previously been sanctioned by Ofcom for biased reporting.
This included claims that the BBC "staged" a chemical weapons attack for a news report on Syria.
The BBC won a case against the TV channel after complaining to Ofcom, saying the allegations made in a programme called The Truthseeker were false and struck "at the heart" of its obligations to accuracy and impartiality.
Ofcom ruled that elements of the programme were "materially misleading".