A growing number of pro-Palestine individuals in the United Kingdom are reporting that they have been «debanked»—having their financial accounts closed without explanation or notice. Among those affected is Emma Kamio, a small business owner in south Wales who was denied a remortgage for her commercial properties by Lloyds Bank in April due to «adverse media.»
Kamio described the decision as devastating, forcing her to step back from her family business responsibilities. Her daughter, Leona «Ellie» Kamio, a nursery teacher, also had her Lloyds account closed in February 2025 while she was held on remand. The elder Kamio’s legal troubles predate the UK government’s recent proscription of Palestine Action as a «terrorist» organisation and her subsequent conviction for criminal damage linked to a 2024 raid on an Elbit Systems factory in Bristol.
High-profile figures have also spoken out regarding the practice. Politician George Galloway revealed last week that Bank of Scotland, part of the Lloyds Banking Group, abruptly terminated his personal account after 39 years, disrupting his pension payments and mortgage obligations. Additionally, left-wing news outlet The Canary reported that Lloyds closed its accounts in late June despite multiple attempts to seek clarification, while writer Tariq Ali stated a bank refused to process a transfer citing his opinions on Palestine.
Anas Mustapha of the campaign group Cage described the phenomenon as systemic. Cage itself was debanked over a decade ago with no justification provided. Mustapha noted that the pattern has expanded to penalise activists and the families of those imprisoned for opposing what he termed genocide.
Altikriti, head of the Cordoba Foundation, characterized the practice as a «tool of oppression» operating on an «industrial scale.» He argued that since the September 11 attacks, the label of terrorism has been loosely applied to any dissenting opinion, permanently damaging individuals’ financial lives. Altikriti, who was flagged as a «terrorist» in a banking database following an unverified claim by the UAE, warned that these measures serve political agendas rather than enhancing national security.
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