UK Bank Denies Mortgage to Mother of Pro-Palestinian Activist

Lloyds Bank in the UK has refused a mortgage application from the mother of pro-Palestinian activist Leona Cammio, who was convicted of vandalism and rioting at an Elbit factory near Bristol. The bank informed Cammio's mother that while her application was reviewed, bank advisors were not "comfortable" supporting it at this time. The bank also blocked the transfer of assets to Cammio's sister, preventing the mortgage from proceeding through that channel.

Leona Cammio was one of four activists convicted of property damage at the Elbit factory, causing approximately $1 million in damage and confronting police. Dramatic footage from the incident, released by the UK prosecution, showed the activists armed with hammers and axes, and one confronting a police officer. The prosecution described the break-in as "meticulously planned."

Cammio and two other activists were sentenced to six years in prison. Previously, Leona Cammio herself had received a letter from the bank stating it "could not maintain a banking relationship" with her while she was in custody.

Cammio's mother, who runs a small business in South Wales and is a long-time bank customer, stated that her business has suffered in the past two years due to her efforts to free her daughter. She explained that the mortgage was intended to mitigate the damage to her business, and the bank's refusal has severely impacted her financially.

A Lloyds spokesperson told Novara Media, "We do not close accounts or make credit decisions based on political or personal beliefs. Our decisions are based on relevant laws, regulation, account conditions, or credit requirements. We are unable to comment on individual cases."