Open letter to Barclays
Mark Brookes,
Barclays Senior Executive Customer Relations Manager.
Cc The Board of Barclays & Institutional Investors & Share Action.
& Mr Jes Staley via his lawyer Kathleen Harris, Partner & Head Of The Crime Team, Arnold & Porter.
https://home.barclays/who-we-are/structure-and-leadership/leadership/
So let me try and get this correct?
Barclays Bank former chief executive Jes Staley, was able to give banking services to Jeffrey Epstein. After he was convicted in 2008.
But Lovedesh, my not for profit company, helping the poorest and fighting climate change, under Mr Staley’s stewardship, was stripped of its business bank account.
After I complained in May 2021. About being bullied by Barclays Buisness Banking. During the pandemic for a few measly hundred pounds. It also contained bank charges. I think. And I had asked that perhaps a compensation offer, that had been offered to me by Barclays for past failures in 2015, over my personal accounts that got shut down through no fault of my own, be used. To cover the sums.
But it seems we got shut down without notice in June 2015.
Huh.
So I hear it is all hands on deck at Barclays. How is it going?
Are you all ok?
Given the incredible evidence emerging news, about your former chief executive Mr Jes Staley, since he resigned on 1 Nov and in the past 24 hours.
I can now see why I feel you don’t want to be seen anywhere near me. Not interested in resolving mine and Lovedesh’s complaint.
Of decades worth of discrimination, failures and breaches of GDPR. And much much more.
It is a veritable ticking bomb waiting to go off.
And since you also have admitted in your own written words, that Lovedesh’s bank account was shut down, without your knowledge. I expect it’s easier to kick out a business owner like me, and wait for me to haul myself up. Perhaps in the hope I never get up.
I appreciate you now instruct my only course of action left is towards the Financial Ombudsman.
What that means is, you have refused to choose to resolve this within the banks complaints procedure and protocol.
I feel it is perhaps quite a desperate tactic. As perhaps you and your staff plan to keep me and Lovedesh quite busy, submitting all the evidence. To the ombudsman.
But you fail to understand this.
The connection between shutting down the Lovedesh bank account and your bank’s fight with its former chief executive Mr Jes Staley. And how Evil Epstein is now a key factor to the story of me, a small business owner and my banking problems.
First.
Thanks. But No thanks.
Nope.
I decline the invitation and opportunity given to me by you, to become quite the busy little bee, in running to get FO involved.
Not at this stage.
Nah.
I’m going to make sure I publicly invite your board and institutional investors to do the right thing.
Should that fail.
Then and only then, I will go and bring it to the Financial Ombudsman.
Do you know why?
Because I would prefer the Financial Ombudsman’s time to be spent helping those who really, really need it.
You know, the citizens who might be disabled, broke, destitute, sick and ill who have been done over by your bank. Or being pursued for money they do not have and cannot pay.
Because I exist.
I know other business owners and personal account holders will have also suffered at the hands of Barclays.
I’ve also begun to notice now, the proliferation of organisations, in professional sectors that are regulated, who having undertaken wrongdoing, quickly insist on us complainants going to the ombudsman.
“What on earth is all that about?“ I thought to myself today.
As I ate a lunch of poached eggs and baked beans, made by my beloved daughter. Donated to us by the food bank Dons Local.
Who were contacted by Vanessa, the founder of Focus 4 1 , a local charity helping the disabled, asking that they provide me with basic essentials. Given my status as a vulnerable adult. But also she heard of my misfortune of not being able to do my job, simply due to the actions and trauma at the hands of those who wish to destroy a Lovedesh. And she wanted to do whatever she could, to help me to continue trying to protect people and planet.
Because I certainly don’t earn any income nor do I have enough savings.
I’m on the DWP Enterprise Allowance Scheme. Yes, the British taxpayer has been subsidising me. After I, a tax paying citizen, who was working all her life, was left with an invisible disability and incapable of working due to often having to be ill. All because of man-made trauma at the hands of others.
You know the usual trauma. Victim of crime, having greedy, sociopathic bosses who sacked me for no good reason when they wanted to get rid of a working single mother who complained about a change in job role that would leave her unable to care for her child. But also caused by sexual assaults, bullying, domestic violence, physical violence. And being ripped off and fleeced by dodgy companies who took advantage of me as a frantic single mother, to sign me into stuff I did not agree to. Often I was too tired and exhausted after having been left all alone by the father of her child, since 2003, etc etc.
So much so that, a few years ago, my own body began attacking itself. As it has been left in a constant state of permanent stress. Anxiety.
Often my brain and body cannot perceive and distinguish between a threat and a non-threat.
And of course there are now physical limitations.
But even though I was told I need not work, that I can just collect money from DWP as I am that sick, I declined.
My reply was “no – thanks – I might be disabled but I want to work to get my own income via Lovedesh.”
And I plan to fight this illness and perhaps be the first person to recover from this trauma, while being a a business leader. And in doing so, I know it will give hope to many others in the same boat. Left sick, traumatised and disabled not because of a medical problem but because of a human problem.
And that one day “my greatest dream of all is to pay back the British taxpayers.”
As they should not have to cover paying for me. I think those who did this to me should. And that includes Barclays. Yes. Your bank.
And ever since that day, when I was awarded payment, I have felt so under pressure, even though I am sick, I’ve been racing to make sure that through Lovedesh, I can earn enough for myself and give back. And pay back.
This means I create jobs and boost incomes of others like me, in the UK. And those across the world, worse off, particularly in the global south, who are often forced to work in sweatshops. Being modern day slaves and servants to greedy landowning families like mine (Ali Nagor Choudhurys), to stitching fast fashion that almost killed then and killed thousand of others.
Moving on now.
I simply couldn’t fathom, why so many dodgy companies, watched over by independent Regulators, now rush to kick out a serious complaint, don’t even care the evidence of wrong doing is so huge, and instead urge us to go and involve an external, independent organisation
Hmmmm…
I think I figured it out.
I truly had that Eureka moment.
Here goes.
– it is the pandemic, and therefore there is a huge delay and backlog – it’ll be ages before I get a resolution.
– less staff and remote/hybrid working due to Covid 19. Means less time to look at stuff. And less ombudsman staff working.
– The amount of time to bring Complaints to Ombudsman is in its self a huge of massive use of resources – be it time and loss of time making money
– you know I’m disabled. I have an invisible disability so therefore it requires a greater degree of time effort and energy. To get it across. After all, I don’t have access to an admin team who will help me. But Barclays does.
– it is also a lottery. Perhaps Barclays is relying on someone not doing their job properly at the Ombudsman.
- or perhaps Barclays is waiting for me to drop dead, and then it all goes away. Never again to see the light of Day.
- You also must know I have limited resources. Have no business bank account. I may probably submit a patchy complaint.
- Data request for me to compile all my evidence based on data from the Bank, will probably take 30 days. Even longer.
- Evidence Lovedesh was destroyed by Barclays is hard to obtain. For example, I can’t contact the bank anymore, as a former banking customer and the app has shut down.
Yet somehow despite all the above, you still recommended me, to be spending my valuable time, during Xmas 2021 (which was supposed to be time spent selling our wonderful ethical sustainable fashion and food), instead to compile a case of complaint to be reviewed by the ombudsman, which you and I know, will take several months.
Time. Money. Etc.
I must say when I saw your email I just laughed. Sorry. I did though. In exasperation as well as mirth.
I kept swivelling my head left and right.
I simply couldn’t believe what I read.
Since the story broke, since yesterday (12 November), Barclays I see is busy dealing with the fallout of your former CEO Jes Taylor and the story of his 1, 200 emails with Jeffrey Epstein.
And his use of the phrase “Snow White”. In emails to Evil Epstein!!!
What on earth does that mean. Nobody seems to know. This unique parlance is a code. A moniker.
And we all know this. Whenever there is a “Monica” there is Epstein. (Sorry for the lame joke?
Of course, given this is a public letter, it is very important to state that Mr Staley denies all knowledge of any criminal activity. And that in a press statement regarding Mr Staley’s departure, after five years at the helm if leading Barclays, they too reiterated that at no time has there been any conclusive proof to suggest this not to be true.
But then I look at my crowdfunding campaign for a Lovedesh. Of how Barclays and many others ruined my plans to raise money, open a flagship store in London just to create jobs and boost income. Of a store, in a prestigious landmark address, that will showcase the best of sustainability in food, Fashion and Travel from around the world.
We have had fifth-generation weavers on standby, to attend a Lovedesh fashion show, which we were hoping to do in the run-up to Christmas. In order to educate the British public on the joys of shopping sustainably during Christmas.
Whom we have trained invented for over five years, and him we are so proud have helped us to create Lovedesh Muslin. The world is kindest textile in the world.
After having also created in 2019, the Lovedesh T, the world is kind of T-shirt in the world. Made 100% organic cotton. By women in a worker led factory in Bangladesh.
We had the lawyers lined up. For the store. And should this story break, I know they will confirm that this is true.
We had the prestigious property lined up. In order to put in an offer.
But all of that fell through.
Because of greedy greedy companies and individuals.
And it’s not just Barclays, who is partly responsible but many others.
All of which is documented in my memoirs, due to be published on YouTube called a Lovedesh 10+ files. The decade link story of how I, an ordinary single mother, in extraordinary circumstances began to create Lovedesh. And the highs and horrors of it all.
And I’m so heartbroken, I’m so sick of it all, I sat down and wrote to you. And decided that we would take a battle public now. And that I don’t care about anyone who judges my decision. Or chooses to criticise me, because in doing so, my simple message to them is, I would not want to do business with them if they are feeling uncomfortable at having to listen to what really goes on, behind-the-scenes, of those of us who genuinely and sincerely are pursuing the active mission of protecting people and planet
So let’s go.
FYI.
Barclays will have to deal with the fall out of being found to wilfully hurt people and planet.
Because it hurt Lovedesh.
Barclays will have to handle the fact that this is a joint complaint not just for me, but also the victims of Rana Plaza. who have made it very clear that anyone who hurts Lovedesh, hurts them.
See video.
Xxx
You and Ms McKay (who was copied in), were personally informed in writing yesterday (13 November) that there is a banner hanging with Barclays logo, being waived outside of the ruins of the former Rana Plaza factory.
Yet you have said nothing.
I am incandescent with hurt that you wrote to me as you did, after you have led me and Lovedesh on a wild goose chase, while your former chief executive I now learn, has been given a golden handshake.
What in the COP26 is this?!?
Read my Lips. I’m not going away. Nor is Lovedesh.
I will ensure everyone knows what Barclays did to Lovedesh. I myself am a woc, female entrepreneur, survivor of domestic violence and sexual assault.
I didn’t survive all of that, in order to have Barclays come along and attempt to keep us down.
And I pray and hope soon, a host of Charities and many others will, I hope, start cancelling or challenging Barclays.
In its decision to refuse to help me. A survivor. And Lovedesh.
As well as many more. Such as your institutional investors. And shareholders.
Who I think and hope will also take a very serious and dim view of any form of unethical conduct with regard to VAWG (violence against women and girls). Especially given it is International Day Of Elimination Of The Violence Against Women & Girls. On 25 November 2021. Almost 2 weeks away.
And why I have also copied some of them in.
Bear with me, it will take some time to know exactly who all the institutional investors are.
So anyone reading this open letter, who knows who they are, I hope you can assist me. Either by leaving names in the comments below.
Or better still, please take the link to this open letter, and forward it to them for me. Because again, my time and resources are very limited.
I must say I have been rather impressed with some of your institutional investors. It’s nice to know, that some of them do really care about the planet.
I found from my research that in an article by Chief Investment Officer, dated January 13, 2020, “institutional investors call for Barclays to end fossil fuel financing”.
And that “Managers of more than $170 billion say banks lags behind peers in climate action.”
And it appears that a proposal put forward by Barclays board, to become a net zero bank by 2050, helped appease the investors.
And I came across this story only today and of the wonderful charity ShareAction. Whom I am most impressed with.
Because we plan to write to this organisation to show evidence of Barclays and all the organisations and companies; who have been helping to destroy people and planet, by destroying those of us seeking to protect it.
Because at the very least, I think my story will be of interest to many. Be it women, beat other sustainable business owners. Be it survivors.
At the very least, I know people will mention it and discuss it. And festival, it is left in perpetuity, on the Lovedesh website, so that people can read it 24x 7, any time they wis. h
Your awful email, as well as the actions of all the others in the Lovedesh Hall Of Horrors, has also gotten me to start thinking that perhaps there should be a pledge, by institutionalised investors, not to be investing in those who are found to be directly or indirectly complicit in hurting women and girls.
In any way.
For example, Barclays continued to hire and pay Mr Staley, after evidence of his first wrong doing. First over a whistleblower. Whom he attempted to unmask.
And then, you employed him, knowing he was in charge of JP Morgan. And has Evil Epstein as a client. While I have no idea, when any of you found out, he was his bank, Barclays certainly did get told in the summer of 2019. When it’s Board were definitely informed, on a voluntary basis by Mr Staley, that he had visited Evil Epstein in prison, even after his 2008 conviction, in order to continue providing him with banking services.
Because that is what JP Morgan chose to do. Under Mr Staley’s stewardship.
It is unfathomable. That all this happened. Yet Lovedesh is bank account was shut down without notice in June 2021. Straight after issuing a complaint.
I cannot thank you enough for getting me so upset yesterday, so much so, that I went on a Google search.
And found more news had broken. Of Mr Staley’s 1,200 emails to Evil Epstein. Prior to his joining Barclays. During his role as a banker to Evil Epstein.
It appears that all these emails were handed over to regulatory bodies by his previous employer JP Morgan.
And now to COP 26.
It is over, but here is evidence of what protecting people and planet really looks like.
This email.
And why it needed to be published. Because I will not have anyone stating that I nor anyone at Lovedesh have any malicious intent.
I did not want my complaint to go public. I did everything I could. Because all I want to do is Lovedesh. I don’t want to fight anyone. I don’t want to be in dispute. But if I have to, I will. Because that is also what is involved when it comes to protecting people on planet. And if anyone thinks, otherwise, then you are mistaken.
If in the pursuit of protecting people on planet, someone has not demonstrated to me, any form of dispute, know this.
They are more than likely a charlatan. Or, they are taking money to keep quiet. Or they represent the interests of those who want to continue harming people and planet. Or they turn a blind eye.
End of.
The more disputes one has had, in the pursuit to protect people and planet. The more genuine and sincere.
And I’ve been helped into this robust thought leadership thanks to the brilliance of former black congresswoman, Shirley Chisholm. Whom I stumbled across a few days ago. And I am really upset that the world doesn’t know about her.
Given she was the first ever woman and black person to run for president but somehow everyone thinks it’s Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama respectively.
It is not.
To keep this private, I even reached out to my former colleague. As I assumed there would be a swift resolution and I could return to the business of protecting people on planet via Lovedesh.
But nope.
And so another purpose of publishing is to show the moral courage needed, in having to write this way. Even though it is uncomfortable and distressing.
I want this open letter to at the very least demonstrate, what it looks like when an ordinary lone woman, a mother, is up there on her own, holding powerful banks accountable.
It means this. Never compromising. Even if it leaves me broke. When it comes to protecting people on planet.
It means this. Holding truth to power. Even if it means it will make others uncomfortable.
It means also this.
Not to worry about how others perceive you or may deem you a trouble maker, if that which you do, is in the interest of protecting people and planet.
How many get awards for this? None. Is there any competition for being a disruptor or perhaps a whistleblower? Or in fighting to uphold ethics?
I don’t think so.
But I had to go public so that many more understand, that if this is happening to me, it happened to others. And that, to take out sustainable businesses, especially up to the run up and during Cop 26, is wrong. Because banking services are extremely critical to the survival of pioneering business leaders like me, who rely on access to financial services to sustain ourselves. And our business.
Our entire crowdfunding campaign was destroyed because we had no bank account.
And why it is in the public interest to learn what banks like Barclays are doing, to kick and destroy small business owners. Who reached out privately. During pandemic. And up to and during COP 26.
I also expect that Barclays were busy spreading themselves all over COP26. And should I find out this is the case, I will put in a personal request that they be banned from attending such summits and organisations.
Christmas is coming up.
And I feel a metaphor coming on.
It’s akin of having the innkeeper slamming the door on baby Jesus but then proclaiming to all and sundry in his village, just how much they want to save babies and toddlers. I don’t think he would’ve been popular back then nor popular today.
Yes?
As protecting people and planet isn’t private jets, fancy summits, it isn’t platitudes and it certainly isn’t just talking to talk.
Heck, just because I do this work, doesn’t mean I don’t enjoy the nice things in life. Nobody is perfect. And that’s why I, as Chief Executive of Lovedesh I’m never having a public go at fast fashion brands or say gas guzzling machines.
But what I do have to is be walking the walk. My focus has always been on providing solutions. Not in taking down those, who haven’t yet found a solution. And can only churn out what they know best, in order to put food on the table. For their workers.
I was just asking Barclays do do the basic knuckle work of not trying to “kick a dog when it’s down.” We already have so many trying to take us down. So many charlatans and liars. Misleading the public and industries by greenwashing and “people washing” – my term for green or sustainable initiatives that harm workers or rely on modern day slavery.
Everyone is now scrambling and jumping on the bandwagon, to be seen as sustainable. But not many seem to have real credentials.
And why we were racing to open our London store. Because we believe, showing and seeing is doing and believing.
Many have resources, many have teams working on solutions, yet not many have done the world first pioneering work that I, and the people who work alongside me at Lovedesh, I’ve done. All on a shoestring budget funded solely by me. So that I can remain “unbought and unbossed”. The slogan during Ms Chisholm’s Presidential bid.
Lovedesh has been doing it all alone since 2008. When I, a single mother with my seven-year-old daughter by my side, a survivor of domestic violence, began my journey.
Unlike many pretenders or charlatans, we do not do it for ego. Money. I’ve yet to pay a single penny into my bank account, in wages.
We generally do it to prove this. That by having Lovedesh, with no investors, fully self funded by me, with products we will then sell – to help us become sustainable, we are better placed to undertake work to protect this planet better.
In order to rescue modern day slaves and fast fashion garment workers from horrid sweatshops.
And yet at no point, Barclays knowing all of this, (as it is in the public domain), helped. It has continued to behave in such a way. To hurt us.
And the final straw that broke the camel’s back, is that once again, on 12th November, 2021, on the last day of COP26 – seeing you, as its senior customer relations manager, cannot do a single thing. To stop our demise.
But get this. Yes you can pay £2.4 million and pension to Jes Staley – the man who chose to visit Epstein in prison. Even after he has resigned from Barclays.
Goodness gracious.
What impression do you think Barclays letters and your refusal to assist, has also meant for my young daughter, Amber Choudhury-Kaye, who at the age of seven, began life as a social entrepreneur. She is now 20, and the assistant creative director at Lovedesh. And all she has witnessed is her mother, fighting and fighting and fighting and fighting. On behalf of people on planet in order to stop my own blood family, individuals, Charities, banks, many organisations in attempting to take me down,
It was upon my recommendation Amber even opened her account with Barclays. As I explained that because I had a banking business relationship, it’s a good idea to try and keep banking loyalty.
Call me old-fashioned. But that’s what my late father also did. And why I did the same with my daughter. Maybe I’m stupid but I thought it might mean something.
Clearly not.
But what impression do you also think Barclays are also leaving, upon getting me to go and communicate to all the various vulnerable groups and communities, that we have been working with since 2008, to tell them we have no business bank account.
That we cannot make any sales. And that our summer and Christmas launches have been sabotaged not only by Barclays but by cohort of many, who simply refused to do what was asked of them. To stop being fake. Or to stop wanting our demise. Or stop being deceitful and greedy. By attempting to appropriate my original work. Which is also not even having to go out of their way!
Let’s now look at the group of people, Barclays is expecting me to communicate this refusal to give us a bank account.
During Xmas. Enduring the worlds worst ever global pandemic in modern times.
When many have had to do without food, water and basic Human rights such as education.
Rural villagers
Village women fleeing violence.
Tailors seamstresses.
Rana Plaza SARDs (survivors and relatives of the dead)
Disabled rickshaw drivers
Applicants to the Govt DWP Kickstarter scheme
British School kids – whom we are mentoring and delivering speeches to in the next week. Regarding our work on sustainability.
Schoolkids in Bangladesh.
There are many many more. Whom I have been helping and are listed in the Lovedesh whole of happiness as well as through my niche, self-funded Amcariza Foundation.
It has been exhausting.
Writing an email such as these, I really don’t like it.
Because my time could be spent doing something else regarding Lovedesh.
I think it’s really sad.
Time consuming.
But most of all it’s really awful that I’ve had to name you. But that’s because you are someone senior.
You had the opportunity to whistle blow. Or to Help.
Add the fact Lovedesh, as a business is also about skills and business growth. Boosting income. Fighting the poverty gap. Creating jobs. Not just in the UK but globally.
And so it is reasonable of me to also expect my former colleague Kirstie McKay, the managing director of Citizenship and Consumer Affairs, to do something. As I’m surprised, that having reached out to her, I’m now wondering if she knew about what has happened to us.
I am now going she will wade in help. Given that Kirstie is also part of the BIC (Business In The Community) Leadership Taskforce Team. And herself deemed an expert in defining banking strategy on issues such as financial inclusion, financial difficulty, accessibility and vulnerability customers.
Here is a link.
Xxx
Because I know this much. When I reached out to her in May 2021, she immediately helped me get to you. And was very quick to respond.
And I really hope that Kirsty, continues to help Lovedesh. I’m going to place every confidence in her that she will. Until and unless I hear otherwise from her.
And so now by forcing me to go public on this matter (because you left me no choice), I really hope to make Barclays understand to take me seriously.
There has to be financial penalties for this course of action undertaken towards Lovedesh.
I as CEO of Lovedesh ask Barclays you must pay up.
- I seek £11.36 Million. In compensation. In damages.
- Barclays to act as a guarantor or help me find someone else, for our business premises leave. Who will be involved in helping us open a store in a prestigious part of London
- A further £1.36 million for my weavers and Lovedesh Rana Plaza Victims Group. That will help them establish their careers and a medical fund. As well as help me to bring some of them across on a business trip, to attend not only our store opening but also to give demonstrations and talks.
I’m not going to stop fighting.
You chose to lose the opportunity for Barclays to keep this behind-the-scenes, after I came to you in good faith
It is also necessary, to ask for this financial compensation in order to ensure you think twice about doing this to anyone else.
I also want Society to wake up and look at who is running it all.
My experience with Barclays (and many many others) helps to provide evidence that will conclude I think, in the minds of most good people, that most of society today, is being run by sociopaths. The bullies. The greedy. And trust me it’s not just banks, I’ve come across charities and many do-gooders
Because if those who will even directly and indirectly consort with rapists. Such as Barclays. Its staff.
Then what hope do we have for society
I appreciate the fact that your former Chief Executive has expressed regret. But that has come with hindsight and after knowledge of Evil Epstein‘s second arrest. Not the first time.
And to some degree, I’m beginning to understand how the rich and elite, cannot spot obvious unethical contact. Because here is my rationale. They’re probably all at it!
We’ve heard of even Bill Gates keeping company. As has Bill Clinton.
And I’m so disappointed and if this post ever gets to them, I hope they, as well as Mr Staley – Will at the very least, support the work that Lovedesh is doing.
Because even in the most heinous crime, or wrong doing, we cannot change the past, we can change the future. There is always hope for any of us, to learn and continue to grow
Because until we do so, and see evidence of this happening, the pattern will keep repeating itself over and over and over.
And to give credit to Mr Staley, I find it interesting that he has instructed his solicitor to inform us all, he had attempted to explain his relationship. With Evil Epstein. Voluntarily.
But my question is this, to Mr Staley. As a survivor, “why would you not have revealed this prior to you joining Barclays?”
As surely, ethical auditing is undertaken. I generally think that there may be merit in the idea that Mr Staley refused to accept, he had done anything wrong. And why would he. Because I’m sure all of his banking colleagues, were continuing to endorse him.
Now, he’s understanding the trauma and tragedy of suddenly becoming untouchable. And perhaps he is having to suffer the horror of finding those who Once Upon a Time, Audley stood by him, fleeing away.
A twist in the tail is I myself have worked for Barclays and recall the huge vetting I had to undergo.
And so now I am of course thinking this “who at the bank knew of Mr Staley’s friendship with Jeffrey?”
I bet many new.
And we know as his poor executive assistant, would have managed his diary. But perhaps, they and many others, didn’t have a robust enough whistleblowing procedure to alert anyone. Because had I been working there, I would’ve assumed, that the senior management and all the board would have undertaken strict procedures. To vet him.
But then having seen, that even after his attempts to on mask a whistleblower, and being fined and much more, the bank still stood by him, who on earth was going to ever have the courage to speak up?
How do your ethical breaches play out at Barclays? Does Barclays not check to ensure they keep to strong ethics. Is this not audited?
Or does Barclays just wait for senior management to screw up? How? What?
Surely the shareholders should order an investigation.
How much will staff even be encouraged to Whistleblow? In the future. And how many staff have whistleblown? And why was more not done to protect the whistleblowers, who Mr Staley attempted to unmask. By introducing a zero tolerance policy
Not much I think.
And yet Barclays continued to financially support its former CEO after Evil Epstein was arrested.
Again. I repeat. Barclays paid him £2.4 million payout. Mr Staley is already worth £5 million!
Yet the same back has refused to support Lovedesh. With a bank account and few hundred pounds.
And I think that in any claim for compensation, I should now present evidence
And if why I’m even more angry, having found out about the actions of Barclays and that of its former chief executive.
All of which I only found out late night yesterday when I went on a Google search, looking his name up. And was shocked to discover news of reference to the phrase “Snow White”.
A Guardian article states that “Staley took his own yacht, the Bequia, to visit Epstein’s private Caribbean island.
And that “Staley volunteered to explain his ties to Epstein to Barclays in summer 2019, when media reports cast a fresh spotlight on their relationship.”
If Mr Staley volunteered this information, what was the bank doing, in cutting him off. Only because of two reasons
- A preliminary report by regulators FCA & Prudential Regulatory found there was concerns of the account provided Mr Staley.
- Mr Staley has chosen to reject the findings. And to seek to clear his name relates to these concerns.
I think its best I go and find out from Jes Staley’s lawyer. Kathleen Harris of Arnold & Porter.
Because as much as I disagree with the actions undertaken by Mr Staley, it must be galling to learn the Board changed their mind and would not stand by him.
All this I couldn’t believe quite what I was reading. And given that I’m gearing up to publish my memoirs Lovedesh 10+ Files, on YouTube – in time for the international day of violence against women and girls.
I wrote this open letter.
Barclays is the gift that keeps on giving. In terms of screw ups.
Let us look at a timeline.
And look at how I get treated. Versus Mr Staley.
of course I’m not killing anyone. I know I’m nothing. To the bank. That I represent no value.
But can you imagine a world, pivoted, whereby, organisations like Lovedesh, are the ones who are given value. Even over and above the likes of its CEOs. And instead of looking at the lights of the Chief Executive‘s, as a true stewards of the organisation, they look at the people, customers and clients, bringing our custom to them.
Imagine such a world.
Imagine a world with banking is being done, not because of who you are, and how much money you make, but because of the value you bring to the world.
And I know Triodos is out there but unfortunately they are not taking any new applications.
Anyhow here is a timeline. Bear with me. I hope you haven’t lost patience and if you have I apologise. But it is very interesting to note the actions by Barclays event contrasted with how the bank behaved towards Lovedesh.
In April 2014, I was misled a miss sold into an IVA. Given I was a survivor of domestic violence, and a previous dispute with O2, who had, fraudulently entered me into a mobile phone contract. With my young daughter. And then they secretly added data roaming charges, so that when she was abroad, flying alone, and lost it. It was picked up by a thief in Bangladesh. Who then made series of calls.
I only found out when a bill arrived for me, in April 2014. And I was shocked to see were several hundred pounds. I called 02 to complain. Coin desperately saying that I can’t afford it. And that I couldn’t pay. But what did O2 do?
They immediately marked my credit score. And in autumn 2014, as I attempted to remortgage in order to fund Lovedesh, I was rejected.
My entire financial history began to be destroyed. By April 2015, my life as a survivor of domestic violence went from bad to worse. I was being hounded by my family.
And in April 2015, on the advice of charities and those who work with charities, I was recommended into entering into an IVA, without understanding the implications for me and a personal basis as well as business.
I was told there was no option and I recall writing and begging and pleading Barclays for help. Even offering up my house. They refused.
Even after 25 years of impeccable personal finance history, and being a premier customer, they refused me help.
Throughout all this time I was calling and begging and pleading Barclays for help. Nothing was forthcoming.
And so I started the IV, in attempt to save money to continue funding Lovedesh. From my own pocket.
In April 2015, my own blood family travelled to Bangladesh.
And between them and my male cousins, in order to teach me a lesson, they destroyed all my projects and everything I’d been doing in the name of Lovedesh and my charity Amcariza foundation.
Threatened and bullied volunteers. And field staff.
And remonstrated against me because I, in my 40s had not asked their permission.
This includes, my deceitful own British solicitor sister Nazmin Choudhury of NC Law. My own brother Naz Choudhury. My own sister Nazrin Choudhury, who is currently writing the script for a huge Hollywood blockbuster movie. And my own twin sister Jasmin Choudhury who until recently was the vice chair of Gingerbread, a charity for single parents.
And Faisal Ahmed Choudhury and Fahim Ahmed Chowdhury, two of my male cousins, behind a major energy company in Bangladesh called Barak Power.
My daughter and I became homeless in July 2015. On her birthday. My family were helped by the metropolitan police. And as I stood, clutching close in the middle of a London Street, crying and sobbing and attempting to explain the damage that has been done to me, Lovedesh, I found no empathy.
No help.
Summer 2015 – I believe Mr Staley took his own personal yacht and sailed to Evil Epstein’s private island with his wife
Mr Staley joined as CEO in Dec 2015. So probably why he was having a brilliant Christmas, I spent the autumn of 2015, in and out, sleeping in all kinds of places. Thankfully I never managed to sleep on the street. And why it is called “hidden homeless”.
Between 2015 and 2017, my daughter and I remained unofficially without a home. I was in deep mental distress and honestly, it’s all a financial blur.
July 2017
I finally managed to return to my only property. And slowly spent time between then and until the start of the pandemic, recovering and slowly rebuilding Lovedesh from scratch.
July 2019
Evil Epstein is arrested.
August 2019
Mr Staley offered more info on his relationship with Epstein. Evil Epstein dies in his cell.
December 2019
The regulatory investigation by the PRA and FCA was launches.
March 2020
We enter into our first pandemic.
July 2020
Members of my family are up to their old tricks. And have begun to persecute more people out in Bangladesh. including hurting and bullying a poor man. As well as attempting to make some of them homeless.
May 2021
Barclays Business Banking pursue me for outstanding balance because it appears I’ve gone into overdraft.
I repeatedly asked for assistance and I’m not giving it. Except being told that the most they can do is try and halt temporary pursuit.
May 2021.
I bring my complaint to Kirsty McKay, a former colleague.
10 May 2021
Barclays you write to me to confirm you will begin investigating my complaints. And state that “ I am a member of Barclays Executive Complaints Team to review complaints raised to very senior colleagues, and I’ve been asked to look into your complaint”.
15 June 2021
Account closed – unknown to Lovedesh and to you.
30 September 2021
You sent me a letter via post. Not by email. Offering me £200. And then tell me to find alternative banking arrangements.
How. Where?
Do you know we have been declined by Monzo. I suspect because our credit score has been impacted by your bank.
1 November 2021
Jes Staley resigns.
You as a bank had a duty to inform us.
As it is extremely unethical.
I think the media are going to have a field day. If this went public.
And why am immediately writing to your Chief Executive to order an investigation into the ethics. And conduct of its own complaint department.
The dodgy sadly, are everywhere. Even in charities and political parties like the Labour Party.
But as I complete chapters in my memoirs, there is a pattern that plays over and over and over. And it is the behaviour of humans when wrongdoing is made apparent. And sadly they demonstrate their own lack of skills to equip them.
With how to manage and handle such a situation.
So you can try and quote all the odd words you have thrown into your email, and also about your own limitations.
But I will remind you of this adage over and over again.
First. “ all it takes for evil to flourish is for good people to do nothing“
Next. This quote. Very clever chap. One of the last ever to have been born to a U.S. slave woman.
Booker T Washington. Fascinating.
Your entire handling has been a mistake. You left to go on holiday and you didn’t really give a duty of care.
You made promises that you did not keep. You did not follow the complaint protocol properly.
You don’t understand the enormity of the failures of it all, nor the breaches as well as the horrific demonstration of trampling over good work, good soups and of course diversity and inclusivity. Then to do it all during COP26 – is tragic.
And with the international day of elimination of violence against women and girls, coming up on the 25th of November 2021, you wrote as you did.
It is clear that while you were exploring my complaint, you didn’t even know what the Business Banking team are doing.
I trusted you. And while I was busy rescuing projects and fighting so many battles on behalf of the vulnerable communities, you chose to bizarrely drop a letter by post.
But not email.
After having discovered the death knell in shutting down Lovedesh.
At no point did you make it clear that by bringing a complaint to you, it would then result in the Lovedesh bank account being shut down. Because a very logical expectation would be that you would be talking to the Businessbanking team. But of course your emails and out evidence to show, no such conversation ever took place. And you had no idea they would shut us down. And that you thought it was important to blithely pass this fact onto us
I repeat again – all over a couple of measly hundred pounds? Do you not think we could’ve found this amount?
I’ve self funded Lovedesh entirely.
Every now and then if we need money in a crisis, we can go to our loyal community. We have the greatest of all business mentors.
And we have always managed over nine years, to stay afloat. Even with horrendous people ripping us off, stealing from us, depriving us of income. In a bit to prevent Lovedesh from becoming established.
Because I am leading the world’s first ever Ethical Luxury Fashion and which has human rights and the protection of the planet woven straight into the core of everything we do.
And white gives me great pleasure to know how terrified and hated I am by many. But of course I am always reminded yet again of another brilliant mind, who happened to be black and was the first black person to be elected to US Congress and the first woman ever to run for president.
Shirley Chisholm in 1972 talked about having to endure the slurs and horrors, in her attempt to change what she calls are “the beneficiaries of the system”.
This is what Ms Chisholm said back then.
“I realise that this is a rough road, but a catalyst for change in a society, is usually persona non-grata with those who have been the beneficiaries of the system.”
She later became the first woman to run for president. Under the slogan of “Unbought & Unbossed”.
But of course we all think it is Hillary Clinton, when it is not.
Again erasure. By white society.
I do not allow any investors in, to prove value in growing a new business model itself.
Purely on sales. And I plan to stay “unbought”. Like Ms Chisholm.
I am undertaking a huge experiment to demonstrate, that by putting people and planet first, in that order, rather than profit first, the way forward for the future of our planet’s survival, is to DO the right thing.
We don’t understand why nobody contacted us.
But what is bizarre is Barclays public commitment to claim to care about the community and entrepreneurship. Yes behind-the-scenes is busy kicking in the head of the only organisation in the world endorsed by garment workers creating sustainable solutions for people and planet.
Perhaps if the bank was keeping a close eye on what it’s senior executives were doing outside of professional life, you would’ve ended up with a chief executive who has had to resign.
But if you don’t even know what your senior management are doing, it’s no surprise, those lower down the ladder, are cavorting away.
You as an individual should be worried about Shareen Qureshi, a dodgy, rogue member of staff, parading around, pretending to care about philanthropy, putting on an external event.
These are basic checks and balances every organisation must do. Nobody is born bad. But we become bad because the structure enables wrongdoing to flourish.
I also had this new thought. Perhaps you feel anxious because Ms Qureshi is a hijabi? Lucky for me I’m Muslim. I’m not scared of Muslims, who dress visibly as such, who secretly are unethical.
The bizarre poster of her in glam evening wear and a handbag, says it
This philanthropy that everyone is showboating is ego led.
It’s not the first time I’ve come across what I’m calling “Pick Me Browns”. Or for example “Banjo Browns”. So desperate to be in mainstream, that they are busy trampling over their own community. Ethics. In their March to the top.
This peculiar affliction is most redolent in politics, arts, banking, legal and charity sectors. The preserve of white privilege.
And I know it comes from a place of insecurity, exhaustion of trying to make it in a very white, privileged middle class world. I have some compassion and pity but then I swivel my head and look at the vulnerable communities that Lovedesh has been working with. Who cry over and over. At the horrific life they are being forced to lead.
And of the 1136 garment workers who were killed in 2013. Some of whom were young as 13, teenage girls whose bodies have never been found.
And of the world first solutions we at Lovedesh have been creating to protect people and planet. Such as the Lovedesh Muslin – The kindest fabric in the world Lovedesh Tee. The kindest T shirt in the world.
Do you have the audacity to talk about a few hundred pounds? When Barclays net worth, as at October 20, 2021 is $47.64B!!!
And why individuals such as Ms Qureshi, in my sincere opinion, will immediately surrender all the ethics they ever knew – as they get kicked out of touch. Because so grateful are they at last, of the attention afforded to them. She dumps anyone and everyone.
It’s a bit like a woman has been so desperate for a husband, immediately rushes in, in the hopes of marriage, to a corrupt rich family, she sells out her own family. Becomes a carbon copy of the very greedy powerful structure she desire to emulate.
In essence it is internalised racism.
And I expect you have no idea what I’m talking about because you probably haven’t understood what structural racism & classism looks like. And how to prevent it.
I possess factual evidence she has conflict of interest and has trampled over Rana Plaza victims, and clearly has been hoovering up her banking contacts, to put on an external event
It is all so dodgy dodgy dodgy.
It is also clear to me you don’t have a whistleblowing procedure. Because now I bought it to your attention, you should’ve been taking steps to ensure this member of staff, is prevented.
But nope. You’ve left me, who is already a beleaguer chief executive, to do all the work that you are paid to do.
Miss Qureshi has been greedily trampling over the victims of Rana Plaza, who may I add, are disabled garment workers. It is horrific.
Does nobody care about the plight of these poor disabled victims? REALLY?!??
But then again, I just remembered, you have a chief executive who after decades of service, is stepping down because the FCA ITSELF has found he had a friendship with Jeffrey Epstein / the rapist.
The Daily Telegraph reported on the 12th of November 2021, at 7:49 pm that he use the phrase ‘snow white’ and that there is a cachet of 1200 emails between your former chief executive and a convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein.
I also suggested escalation of this to the new Chief Executive but you have refused to.
So we shall take this to him independently.
Incidentally I have evidence of Barclays sending me correspondence over matters for many years ago. A few weeks ago.
It’s all bizarre and it’s all a mess.
And of course I’ve always known the financial ombudsman is available to me. But why would I do that when I seek to try and retain a relationship with Barclays.
Not because I want to but because I have to. Now that I know of these links, it’s utterly unethical for Lovedesh to continue a business relationship.
It is a very reasonable adjustment to ask at the bank account be opened until we find another bank account.
Only because our entire banking history is there from 2012. Because I was spending time, a precious resource in protecting people and planet, rather than on a fight with my own greedy bank.
Which we have not been able to do because of my illness and also under the equalities act of 2010, it is a reasonable adjustment to have given me time. None of which your business banking Dept did. Did it?
But you are right.
I’m not going to waste my breath on you anymore.
This is snowballing into one of the biggest fights. By CEO of a not-for-profit against a global British bank.
We’re going straight to the top echelons of Barclays. I’m going to make sure Barclays pays up millions.
And you writing to me attempting to divert me to the Ombudsman was extremely unhelpful. Because I now reserve the right to go public on this. Because I feel your intentions are not ethical. And because you have been witness to breach of the FCA and more.
Your job should’ve been to whistleblower but instead you wrote me the email you did below. You should not be in such a role. If you are unable to take action on wrongdoing. Within your business banking dept.
Anyhow I attach the crowdfunding link for your organisation to deposit the monies.
Have a great weekend.
Phone.
Apologies in advance for any spelling mistakes.
On 12 Nov 2021, at 15:34, Mark Brooks wrote:
Dear Yasmin
Thank you for your email. As requested, please find attached a copy of the letter posted to you on 30 September.
I’m afraid we can’t look to reinstate the business account for Lovedesh, for the reasons outlined within my letter. For some additional context, in previous conversations with other colleagues and I, you voiced that you would only look to repay the balance on the account when you’d received compensation from Barclays for the historic points you raised to me. Given this was never a definite outcome, and any clam for compensation could only be considered by the courts to the extent that you mentioned (and for the historic points raised), I can’t see that we would have had any further movement on the repayment of the balance. While we certainly shouldn’t have closed the account without checking for the active complain, on the balance of probability I don’t believe this has materially altered the fact the account would still have been closed.
All of the other points raised in your email do not relate to Barclays, and so I hope you can appreciate these are points I’m unable to comment on. You will need to pursue these concerns independently, as it seems you’re planning to do.
I’m afraid I can’t add anything further to the response attached, and so would suggest if you remain unhappy with the outcome, you may want to consider referring to the Financial Ombudsman Service for an independent review. I appreciate this won’t be the response you hoped for, but I hope this email will clarify our position.
Kind regards
Mark Brooks LLB (Hons) (Open) | Senior Executive Customer Relations Manager | Advocacy | Barclays UK
Respect | Integrity | Service | Excellence | Stewardship
Creating Opportunities to rise
Please consider the environment before printing this email
From: Yasmin Choudhury
Sent: 12 November 2021 09:19
To: Brooks, Mark
Hello Mark
CC Kirstie Mackey
Thank you for your email below.
Please note this email is submitted not just by Lovedesh but also the Lovedesh Rana Plaza Victims Group.
Could you urgently email me the letter you sent me via post. As I note you didn’t send it via email.
I want Lovedesh bank account reinstated immediately.
Here is why.
First. I’ve copied in my former colleague.
I like to think she is a good woman – who may flag this up to the new or interim CEO. Whom I think is C S Venkatakrishnan.
Given Mr Jes Staley is found to have been connected to the rapist Jeffrey Epstein. Although no evidence that he was aware of any of the crimes undertaken by that evil filthy human.
I’m just very upset at this news, given I speak to one of the survivors, who have been impacted.
“Barclays CEO Jes Staley is shown here in 2019 in New York. The chief executive of Barclays bank has stepped down follow what that bank’s board described as a “disappointing″ report by the U.K.’s Financial Conduct authority into his past links with the late financier and sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.” Nov 1, 2021
https://www.npr.org/2021/11/01/1051116607/jes-staley-barclays-jeffrey-epstein?t=1636700185382
Hopefully Mr Venkatakrishnan, the interim CEO, can see the evidence of the disgusting disgraceful conduct undertaken by Barclays Business team and the Barclays staff members I reported – Shareen Qureshi.
In the meantime here is a video. A quick preview – of the “cyclone” coming the way of all those who hurt us.
Ta-dah – here is the Barclays logo flying high outside the collapse ruins of Rana Plaza. And scrutinising you all – are victims of Rana Plaza.
Along with many many others, who over a 10 year history – have ended up damaging and destroying the work I was doing to deliver solutions for global poverty.
All of you are now awarded a place in the Lovedesh Hall of Horrors, a list of the most corrupt, unethical and disgraceful individuals and organisations to prevented me from protecting people and planet.
From Hollywood to charities to political parties. We think it is a global scandal.
Of how I’ve sacrificed everything to help many who are so destitute, including garment workers who were killed when the Rana Plaza factory collapsed killing 1,136 workers. Mostly women. Some as young as 13 whose bodies have never been found.
We and the survivors and relatives of the dead are fed up and sickened by the greed and fakery of those with power and privilege.
Yes- Barclays has been entered into the Lovedesh Hall of Horrors. And we are due to go public and detail the entire sorry saga.
By publishing it all. As part of my memoirs. Lovedesh 10+ Files.
The Lovedesh Rana Plaza Victims Group are very upset with Barclays.
Ms Qureshi, Market Development Director, Barclays
I find it notable, that Ms Qureshi, the member of staff that I reported, for her unethical conduct, continues to front a major philanthropic conference she is hosting on Monday 15 November 2021.
Here she is.
https://sportstechglobalconference.com/
And here is she as a director.
https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/12846219/officers
Perhaps she has left Barclays?
Unsure – as it is clear she still has your bank listed as her employer on Linked In. But yet there is no mention of her role of being a director of Sports Tech Global – a private Ltd company. Is that not required under due diligence? As the Barclays Code Of Conduct requires there cannot be a conflict of interest.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/shareen-qureshi-b84766125/?originalSubdomain=uk
What is interesting is that Ms Qureshi has teamed up with a mutual business contact of mine. Mr Carlos Sousas. He only happens to be responsible for my office premises. And is the National Sales Manager Of Access Storage.
This company have chosen to evict us and change the locks. And broken the Coronavirus Act.
And when I asked Mr Sousas for his reply and help (During Cop 26 – and he knows we are a not for profit working with garment workers of Bangladesh) his reply was: “Hi Yasmin. Hope you’re well! I’m sorry but it’s out of my control. I can’t assist with access as I understand it’s quite overdue.”
Yet here he is – diving deep on “People, philanthropy and Tech”,
Funny how everyone is jumping on the bandwagon.
Well how could we pay our rent arrears when Barclays shut down our bank account? Hmm?
Then we go digging and we realised that my owner of Access Storage is also the owner of the Montcalm Hotel. And what is the relevance to Ms Qureshi – well guess who is sponsoring her event? Ahh – Carlos. As Montcalm is also owned by the same man who owns Access Storage.
I can tell you now, I personally, and politely, I’m coming after Barclays for £11.36 million in compensation.
As well as Access Storage And both Mr Qureshi and Mr Sousas.
And we will ensure we disrupt Ms Qureshi’s event – as I will not tolerate a unethical woman trampling over my idea. And the wellbeing of the poorest garment workers. As I notice she has used my idea of a eco t-shirt – something I discussed with her. Yet upon showing her the Lovedesh Tee, very quickly should ghosted me.
Hopefully by the time I have finished with Barclays, social media will be brewing as to how, you and your colleagues allowed Lovedesh bank account to be shut down. When we are the only ones in the world undertaken pioneering work. Shame on the bank.
Something I did not want – as it is not fair on us – to have to reveal we are in such crisis. It looks bad on my business and name.
But I am sick and fed up of greed and lies. And those who claim to protect people and planet but do anything but. Need to be reported. As it is in the public interest.
First Barclays destroyed my career – then it destroyed my personal finances then my business.
I asked you to listen. Help me Mark.
You did not.
But most of all Barclays did this to Lovedesh, during Corona for a few measly hundred pounds – and that is the announcement that’s going out today, on the last day of Cop 26.
As well as the outcome of a meeting with the Rana Plaza victims – who together with me will decide the fate of Barclays. Access Storage today.
The only person I want to hear from now is the new Interim chief executive.. Whom we hope will be responsible. In resolving this mess.
Next steps
I want Lovedesh bank account reinstated immediately.
As not to do so, means that we are in danger of losing a Kickstarter employee joining us.
We have also got grantS being paid to us for SMB Brexit training. Via HMRC.
I will await your decision.
It is either a yes or no – or you may ghost us. But what I do know is that I am very clear what I need to do. Whatever it is you do.
Next. Am off to write to Ms Qureshi and Mr Sousas. So please do let me know what you decide.
Regards
Yasmin Choudhury
CEO of Lovedesh
On 14 Aug 2021, at 11:14, Yasmin wrote:
Hello Mark
?!?!!!
I am deeply disappointed it has come to this.
I trusted you Mark to do the right thing.
The right thing has not been done and I hope you have a great holiday but I things will get escalated while you are abroad. 🙁
I’m so sorry this has come to this. You sounded pretty decent on the phone. But sadly your organisation Barclays has and is greedy and corrupt.
You and Barclays have left Lovedesh without a bank account.
Knowing that we and victims of Rana Plaza are on the brink of attempting to raise money to open a fashion museum and store in one of the most prestigious addresses in London. In order to celebrate the anniversary of the incredible speech delivered by Martin Luther King on the 28th of August back in the 1960s.
It actually makes me physically sick the amount of organisations and individuals who pretend to care about people and planet and claim the support black and women of colour in business. But here we have you as a bank behaving completely the opposite. And here is the evidence
And I only found out via email. When you suddenly announce my Barclays bank account had been closed. Nobody even write to me. I don’t know anything. Nobody even have the courtesy to pick up the phone. You also had a Muslim man working at a bank during Ramadan threatening me over money.
This needs to be talked about because what he may not be aware of, is that his decision to do this is at odds with his religion.
How can any of you sleep at nights?
Barclays had no right to do this and you’ve just broken equalities act 2010 which requires reasonable adjustments because being disabled, I should’ve had time.
I’ve also not had an outcome of my complaint
Instead you’re now reverting back to the complaint in 2015 which I told you was undertaken by a muppet. And I came to you in confidence saying look at it because shouldn’t go to an external party like the financial ombudsman, or people stop finding out, it’s gonna look really embarrassing for the bank.
But that’s okay. I see that you have written to confirm you continue to uphold the outcome of that complaint rather than investigate that things went wrong historically.
Next. It was reasonable for me to believe that Barclays would not close Lovedesh bank account down, while you were investigating my historical and long term complaint. But it did.
That was one of the conditions I came to you.
To have shut down Lovedesh business account. That was cruel. That is a lifeline. Not just for my business but the victims of Rana plaza.
I’ve had the bank account since 2012. I’m also due to file annual company accounts. And have computer software attached to that bank account.
Such greed and exploitation is not okay Mark and sadly not during the pandemic. But Barclays did this over what £400?!? You haven’t even to this day sent me any information which I’ve been repeatedly asking for, which is a breakdown of the charges.
This is not okay.
And I’ve already spoken to certain charities. And they are helping me to understand my rights as a disabled Chief Executive of a British company.
Hence. I’m due to declare public war on Barclays. And ask everyone to cancel your organisation using this hashtag – #BullyBarclays.
And since you have deprived and damaged my business I have every right to go public and publish whatever I want. And if your legal team want to pursue me tell them they are welcome to do so, because then I will raise a legal crowdfunding campaign. To fight back.
Also I will tell every start up, every charity, every philanthropic foundation not to touch your bank.
And Barclays has already entered into the Lovedesh Hall of Horrors. Listed alongside with other organisations that failed to protect people on planet and have done great harm and damage to Lovedesh. Oh I think this is going to go pretty public
https://www.lovedesh.com/hall%20of%20horrors/
You have contacted me on a Saturday because I’ve been left in your to do list. I feel you don’t really care Mark, because you knew this is life and death for me and my business.
And I told you good things were happening for us and I just needed help. As a woman facing sexual harassment, threats as a human rights activist as well as a survivor of domestic violence returning to resurrect our business during the pandemic.
Others believe in us why can’t Barclays, my own business bank? Whom I have stayed loyal to since 2012?
1. The DWP are coming forward with a grant for me. As I’ve qualified for kickstarter grant. I don’t think Chancellor Of The Exchequer knows what we women, single mother’s are experiencing. The hell. Trauma.
2. We have had two meetings with entrepreneurs. Who are attempting to help us. One of whom is worth £600 million. If they can give me time, why couldn’t Barclays my own bank?
3. People want to make donations to us but there is no bank account. We have a crowd funder set up but now we realise that the Barclays bank account is now shut.
https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/lovedeshcovid19#start
So what happens to any monies donated there?
Am I supposed to delete it?
4. I have 13,000 followers on tick-tock. Many tune in to learn and spread the word about Lovedesh’s campaign that was due to be launched to open a store in London.
Again you’ve left us with no bank account. It’s the equivalent of kicking us in our teeth while we are down.
You allowed Barclays to close it down without telling me. During pandemic.
Hence. I find the bank’s behaviour disgraceful and I’m going to make sure that heads roll over this. Because guess what we recently raise money through tick-tock might not be much but we had to use PayPal to get the money out to Starvin garment workers. So you enjoy your holiday Mark. You carry on enjoy your holiday.
And while the fat cats at your management executive board are enjoying holidays know that the garment workers are Bangladesh are dying, and a garden report dated fourth of August has for some back into work. Because the millions of them who are starving and will probably die now.
It is so sick. Barclays could do this.
Here is the article.
Next. The Barclays reporting concerns department is run by a bunch of Muppets. The woman has been watching to me is utterly clueless. It’s a complete nightmare.
I came to all of you in confidence as a survivor of domestic violence. As someone who was rebuilding her business despite Barclays destroying me financially – over and over and over – when I was a good customer.
This is 100% on your chief executive & management board. Past and present.
We all know that Barclays have been done for being greedy before.
But I’m also going to publicly name the female Muslim Barclays executive, who has launched a philanthropic sports initiative. She does not get to be Muslim and wear a hijab and pretend that she cares about people in the global south. While using me for ideas. Mistreating me. And claiming that she is a supporter of women in business. But she’s not is she? Because I have proof she’s not.
And I will write to every single funder and tell them not to get involved with this Barclays sports initiative because we will send them a video from the garment workers and the victims of Rana plaza all the way from Bangladesh, who will now step behind me and support the horrific conduct towards Me and Lovedesh. At the hands of a greedy bank.
By hurting Lovedesh you have hurt the garment workers and victims of Rana plaza, the fourth deadliest industrial disaster in the world. In which 1,136 were killed.
I’m sure I’ve sent you this video before. But learn. Learn what millions suffered. And suffer. Because of Rana Plaza Collapse.
Ordinary Voices
You see I don’t think victims of Ariana Grande is Manchester bomb attack would ever be treated this way. But for years now I’ve been observing how are victims in the global south get treated bye organisations, campaigners, charities as well as many more not-for-profit sector. Either people don’t give a damn about them or if they do give a damn, it’s because they’re used for making money.
And so here is the message some of the survivors, victims and relatives of the dead prepared for me in Christmas 2020. As they are so so angry.
When they, like myself got sick and tired of the amount of organisations and individuals destroying the work that we’re doing to protect people and planet. Or caught being greedy.
And Barclays has been caught being greedy
They said to me “every single time ma’am, if anyone does anything dangerous or horrid to Lovedesh, please send them this video message So they can hear our voices”.
And why I hope you will send this email Aba links to your Chief Executive and management board because this is what the victims feel of anyone who attempts to destroy me or Lovedesh.
Because Barclays has destroyed us bye King us out and removing the bank account from Lovedesh
And I do feel really sorry for you. Mark. You’ve been badly trained. And I’m so glad I left Barclays all those years ago.
You see I spotted the the unethical conduct within banking management. In late 1990s. My own boss was a female. She told me that I should already start thinking about another career because I would not get any support as a working mother. She told me she was doing me a favour and I remember her saying this quite kindly. Even though her and I never really got on.
Years later, she herself left.
I don’t know the circumstances around that. But I do know that she is a working mother.
In 2001 Barclays made me redundant, a mother on maternity leave, who she knew had been disowned because I’ve had a mixed race child. I was so exhausted I could’ve sue them for sex discrimination. I was a new mother facing hatred and being bullied and the sound for having a mixed race child I couldn’t fight everyone. It was also a chance for me to leave disgusting greedy and ethical corporate world.
I look at where I am now. I may not make much money. I may have been left disabled by my traumatic experiences as a victim of crime over and over. But why I sleep soundly at night is because I know good people support me. And I’ve done nothing wrong
Today though. I have strength. My story will come out. As I need to come forward and speak my truth.
How anti working mother management at Barclays kicked me out as the first working mother. At HQ.
I’m really pleased (because I went onto train at drama school and today and the chief executive of a company). As quite frankly. I’m sick and tired of what people have done to me and to destroy my business and brand.
Barclays were told I’m trying to open a store in London end of August on the date of Martin Luther King anniversary of his dream speech.
Instead of helping me. You’ve kicked Lovedesh out
You were also told that the bank attempted to give me money back of £400 or so, as compensation and and to use that. To pay off bank charges. And debt.
Bank chose not to. Why? I don’t want to hear excuses of protocol or ridiculous bank procedures. It’s interesting how people can rush to help Malala when she shot by brown men on a politically motivated charge but here I am as a woman of colour, attempting to help victims who had an entire building full on their heads, and there is no want to be found to help me help them.
Hmmm.
I don’t want to hear any more excuses from Barclays. This is 20 years of failure and greed and exploitation of not only me as a customer but as a mother as an ordinary citizen.
And all your email below and the one prior to that has done, is to demonstrate proof that you have clearly underestimated me.
Everyone always does. Not a problem. For me.
Until I show them what I’m capable of. Then it suddenly becomes a headache for them.
Watch now, as I try and raise millions now. Or fail know I have guts. And I really want to say thank you to Barclays for being so disgusting that you helped me train into becoming a business ninja.
Watch as I will get a store in London. Or fail. And I will attempt to try and open something on August 28.
So please enjoy yourself on holiday, thank you for attempting to help me. But I wasn’t helped ;(
There is no further need of any correspondence from you. As I plan to actually engage with the chief executive straight away now.
And I won’t be responding anymore Mark. Because you’re not the person to help me. The next person I expect to hear from is the chief executive of.
I wish you all the best.
Take care .
Yasmin C.
Sent from my iPhone.
Apologies in advance for any spelling mistakes.
On 14 Aug 2021, at 10:15, Mark Brooks wrote:
Dear Yasmin
I’m sorry for the delay coming back to you, I am now on annual leave so it may be best to reconvene and discuss certain points when I return, which is 26 August. To highlight the immediate point around the account closure, as mentioned in my last email this is in line with standard collections process as there was no repayment arrangement in place, and given the wider context of your concerns and any claim against the Bank, this didn’t appear to be forthcoming. I do appreciate this has come as a shock though so my apologies for this.
I will be happy to discuss this with you in more detail on my return. To also highlight the email you recently received from the Raising Concerns team, this was to advise you that they would be considering elements of the concerns you raised in relation to previous HR matters.
Kind regards
Mark Brooks LLB (Hons) (Open) | Senior Executive Customer Relations Manager | Advocacy | Barclays UK
Respect | Integrity | Service | Excellence | Stewardship
Creating Opportunities to rise
Please consider the environment before printing this email
From: Yasmin Choudhury
Sent: 10 August 2021 10:27
To: Brooks, Mark : Advocacy
Subject: Re: Sorry – more evidence
!!!!
My business account got closed.
I had no idea. Omg!!! You cannot do this.
You were told of mitigating circumstances
How could this happen. How.
I cannot. I just cannot.
You have left Lovedesh – with no account.
Barclays. knew I have a disability.
This is not ok. I need to get to your ceo.
Sorry.
Yasmin C.
Sent from my iPhone.
Apologies in advance for any spelling mistakes.
On 10 Aug 2021, at 09:02, Mark Brooks wrote:
Dear Yasmin
My apologies for the delay coming back to you here. May I ask in which respect you’re looking to reclaim any charges to your account? Bank charges for business accounts are a standard part of the account terms and conditions, and so these would only be refunded if it was found they were applied in error.
I’d also like to follow up on our previous discussions and the additional evidence you sent to me by email. My apologies again that this has taken longer than I would’ve liked. Having reviewed all of the information you sent, I note that this appears to refer largely to historic matters in relation to your previous employment, or more recent matters regarding Barclays employees. Any cases such as this would need to be investigated by our Raising Concerns team, and not by Customer Relations as this doesn’t relate to a retail product or service. I know you received an email from the team confirming they were looking into your concerns, and you will receive more communication from them in due course.
I’m afraid I can’t identify a link between these concerns and the more recent issue of the overdrawn balance of your business account. I know you feel strongly that there is a direct link and that your more recent problems with the business account can be traced back to these issues, but I respectfully haven’t seen this myself. I would also say the same about previous complaints that you’ve raised, all of which we have issued responses on with your referral rights to the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS). I know that at least one of these complaints was subsequently referred to the FOS, and so the complaints process for these previous complaints has been exhausted. We’re unable to look into historic complaints again.
If I could focus now on the more recent events on the account, I know you had concerns about the manner in which your conversation leading up to this most recent complaint was handled. As we discussed in our first conversation, there was some evident confusion in explaining the timescales to you when the account would be closed as part of our collections process. We were able to confirm a further delay to this process, and I’m sorry for any alarm that call would’ve caused. That being said, the process of this call and the general discussions had were correct, as the account had been in an unauthorised overdraft for position for some time, with no repayment proposal in place. You’d told me and the Bank previously that your repayment of the overdraft was secondary to your claims for compensation against Barclays for the various issues raised previously, but this isn’t something we can consider when it comes to any agreement to repay a balance owed. Any claim you wanted to make would be separate to the requirement to bring the account back into line.
I should be clear that the account has followed our standard collections route, and has now been closed as there has been no repayment proposal or agreement forthcoming. The balance owed has been written off as part of this process, so there is no longer a sum to be repaid but the account is no longer active. This does of course mean that you will need to make alternative arrangements for Lovedesh’s business banking with immediate effect.
I appreciate there is quite a bit of information to digest from this email, so I’d like to ask if you had any specific questions you wanted to raise for me to review at this stage?
Kind regards
Mark Brooks LLB (Hons) (Open) | Senior Executive Customer Relations Manager | Advocacy | Barclays UK
Respect | Integrity | Service | Excellence | Stewardship
Creating Opportunities to rise
Please consider the environment before printing this email
From: Yasmin Choudhury
Sent: 04 August 2021 13:06
To: Brooks, Mark : Advocacy
Subject: Sorry – more evidence
Hi Mark
Just want your help. I’ve been going through my accounts as I’m a bit better.
Some issues – it is exhausting!
1. Bank charges for Lovedesh – I’m also claiming all of these back. Especially after March 2015 – which is when I attempted to call Barclays for help
See attached below which amounts to a total of £329.30
2. I have no idea why they give me a commission
3. Did you know I have never been able to use my Barclays card or call telephone banking – so unable to use my biz bank account to pay for things – and why I stopped – and I’ve been creating huge amounts of expenses.
Thank you.
Kindest regards,
Yasmin Choudhury FRSA
CEO & Founder of Lovedesh®
Ethical Luxury With Heart
On A Mission To Protect Our Planet
Twitter: @yasminisyasmin
Skype: yasminisyasmin | @LovedeshScout | Insta: LovedeshScout:
Founder of charitable projects Amcariza Foundation & Hate2LoveCollective & S|He Stands
Lovedesh®, is the trading name of Lovedesh Ltd, registered as a limited company in England & Wales number 07908945, address 2nd floor, 145-147 St John’s Street, London EC1V 4PW.
Disability Disclaimer – please note I’m very proud to share I have an invisible disability called Complex – PTSD caused from being a victim of multiple crimes. Which means deep anxiety. Due to my condition, writing emails can be extremely difficult. At times there may be spelling and grammar errors, or material facts that may need clarification. So if you require any clarity, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Apologies for loss of time caused by my disability but under the Equalities Act 2010, this is deemed as duty if a reasonable adjustment is requested, to allow for those of us with a disability, inclusivity.)
© Any images, ideas and strategic thinking in this email is presented on the basis that it will be treated as confidential by the recipient. The recipient acknowledges and agrees that the confidential info may not be reproduced in whole or in part for any purpose whatsoever unless prior express permission is provided by me, Yasmin Choudhury, the sender of this email.
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