Bank Closes London Assembly Chair’s Account After Ukraine Transactions Flagged Under Sanctions Rules

Andrew Boff, chair of the London Assembly, had his first direct bank account terminated after traveling to Ukraine on May 27, 2026. GB News reported that Boff attended the Ukraine Recovery Conference’s International Summit of Cities and Regions, organized with the Council of Europe, and spent £36 during his single day in the country.

Boff discovered his card had been deactivated upon returning to Britain.

First direct staff initially could not explain the restriction. On July 8, 2026, he received a letter from the bank stating that the account was closed to comply with sanction laws and manage risks after identifying transactions made in a sanctioned country. The letter read: “As part of regulations, we must comply with sanction laws and manage any risks effectively.

Following a recent review, we determined that the management of these risks is outside of our acceptable limits. ” The bank did not specify which country it considered sanctioned or when the transactions occurred. Boff had held the account for nearly 30 years and received no opportunity to appeal.

He had visited Ukraine previously without banking issues. GB News reported that Boff said staff could not provide further detail beyond the letter. Boff stated: “It is imperative that we have a robust sanctions programme so as to clamp down on the means that the Russian war machine has to fund its brutal war.

He added that he was disappointed by the lack of comprehensive communication and no process to clarify the matter or regain access to his savings and direct debits. Boff also raised concerns about HSBC’s business interests in Hong Kong and China, describing the treatment of a British customer after an official Ukraine visit as troubling. GB News has contacted HSBC for comment.