Banking Executives Negligently Maintain Account for Serial Killer Rose West

Rose West, one of Britain’s most notorious female serial killers, was allowed to maintain her bank account despite being considered for closure by the Co-operative Bank, as revealed by the Telegraph. The bank conducted a review of customers with criminal records approximately ten years ago, and West was given permission to continue as a customer. This decision was made even though the bank later refused services to a feminist group due to their stance on transgender issues and other banks closed accounts belonging to politicians such as Nigel Farage over concerns about their reputation. The Co-op, slogan being “Ethical then, now and always,” apparently believed that West’s association had minimal risk to the bank’s reputation, unlike drug dealers and gang members who had their accounts terminated. The primary concern in allowing West to retain her account was the public finding out that she was a Co-op Bank customer. This review was prompted by the scandal involving the bank’s former chairman, Paul Flowers, who was caught on film purchasing and using illegal drugs, leading to his resignation. According to a banking insider, Co-op Bank conducted a “clean up” of their books in 2014, which involved reviewing accounts held by criminals. However, closing West’s account would have created difficulties for her daughter, who was the primary user. West, who is now 69 years old, was sentenced to life in prison in 1995 for her involvement in ten murders committed in Gloucester with her husband Fred, who took his own life before the trial. She is currently incarcerated at HMP New Hall in Flockton, Yorkshire.