SENIOR Tories have become embroiled in a row over letting Nigel Farage back into the Tory party.
Moderate Tory Robert Buckland appeared to clash with right-wing Mark Francois over letting the leading Brexiteer into the fold.
Doug SeeburgSenior Tories are embroiled in a row over letting Nigel Farage back into the party[/caption]
Farage was a member of the party until the early 1990s but quit to set up the UK Independence Party but has appeared to leave the door open to re-joining since his appearance on I’m A Celebrity.
Tory MP Mark Francois said: “He’s a rock star politician, there’s no denying. We’ve always been a broad church. I think there’s some room on the right pew
But ex-Cabinet Minister Buckland said: “Nigel Farage and me in the same party? Can’t see that really working.
“It’s my party and I will cry if I want to. He can do his own thing.”
Last week, Farage slammed a “work of fiction” debanking review after it found no evidence of political discrimination.
The independent probe was launched after he accused posh bank Coutts of closing his account over his views.
Earlier this year, Coutts owner NatWest admitted serious failings in its treatment of the Brexiteer.
But law firm Travers Smith — commissioned to carry out the review — said there was no evidence of discrimination.
It examined 84 account closures over a two-year period to July, which were around ten per cent of the 897 shut in that time.
Former Ukip leader Mr Farage, who came third in I’m A Celebrity, insisted: “The Travers Smith report is a work of fiction.
“It bears no relation to the contents of the documents disclosed by the bank as to the true reasons why they closed my account.
“The report does however admit there are serious deficiencies in the way NatWest close accounts in such a subjective fashion. The NatWest group now need to take a cold, hard look at their procedures.”
Coutts chief Mohammad Syed said it is “clear there are lessons to be learned”.
NatWest chief Alison Rose quit in July after discussing Mr Farage’s account with a BBC journalist.
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