This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-37677020

The article has changed 8 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
NatWest freezes Russia Today's bank accounts in the UK Russia Today: NatWest 'freezes bank accounts' in UK
(35 minutes later)
NatWest bank has frozen the accounts of state-run broadcaster Russia Today (RT), its editor-in-chief says. NatWest bank has frozen the accounts of Russia's state-run broadcaster 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 says the bank gave no explanation for its decision.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.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 broadcaster, previously known as Russia Today, 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."The bank said its decision was final and it is "not prepared to enter into any discussion."
Are we entering a new Cold War?Are we entering a new Cold War?
Ofcom backs BBC in Russian TV caseOfcom 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. Scots outlet for Russian news agency
RT, which is run by the Kremlin, has previously been sanctioned by Ofcom for biased reporting. RT, which is run by the Kremlin, has previously been sanctioned by UK broadcasting regulator Ofcom for biased reporting.
This included claims that the BBC "staged" a chemical weapons attack for a news report on Syria.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.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".Ofcom ruled that elements of the programme were "materially misleading".
Russian media outlets have made inroads into the UK recently. The state-funded Sputnik news agency set up in Edinburgh in August to broadcast live radio programmes from Scotland. It said its goal was "telling the untold" to Scottish and UK audiences, although critics say it will act as a Kremlin mouthpiece.
The newspaper Pravda is also set to open an online base in the Scottish capital in January 2017.