COMMENT

Banks have been told to provide better support to victims of domestic abuse after the case of a woman told to appear with her former partner in order to close their joint account was raised in the House of Commons.

SNP MP Lisa Cameron said her constituent, who had been repeatedly raped and beaten, was told by her bank that the pair had to visit a branch together.

“When banks are left to their discretion women’s lives are being put at risk,” Ms Cameron said at Prime Minister’s Questions.

Theresa May said the case was “distressing” and said businesses had to give “proper support to all those who have suffered domestic violence or abuse of the that kind”.

Ms Cameron said later that support for vulnerable customers is targeted at the elderly, and legislation is needed to ensure domestic violence victims are not endangered.