Boris Johnson's brother-in-law 'blocked from exchanging cash overseas' over bank blacklisting scandal

Ivo Downey and Rachel Johnson have been married for 30 years. Credit: Getty Images

Boris Johnson's son-in-law claims he is barred from using currency exchange abroad because of his political connections.

Ivo Downie, who is married to the former prime minister's younger sister Rachel, said he was told by an official at the currency exchange office in the baggage claim hall of the Mexico City airport that he could not use this service due to his status.

In an article for The Spectator, Mr Downey said that when trying to exchange $200 (£160), he was asked to fill out several forms, one of which asked him if he was a «politically exposed person», otherwise known as a politically exposed person. , then scans their passport.

A PEP is a person who is “because of their position or influence, more susceptible to bribery or corruption,” according to Lexis Nexis risk management solutions.

< p>70-year-old journalist wrote: «As a man in his seventies — perhaps a politically significant OAP politician — I certainly could not pose too much of a threat to the government of President Andrés Manuel López Obrador?»

Mr Downey continued: “No, it was obviously personal. My passport showed it. They had something specifically for me. But what exactly?”, adding that he “answered the question with a resounding no.”

“Political neutral”

However, an official at the Bureau of Exchange told him that he did and that he would not be able to use the exchange office because he's connected to the government, and that he'll need to use one outside the arrivals hall instead.< /p>

This comes as a number of dignitaries allege that their bank accounts were closed due to their political views.

Treasury Department officials have ordered the city's oversight body to urgently revise PEP rules following several public figures , including Nigel Farage, have complained that their accounts have been closed without warning.

The vicar also said that his bank also turned him down after criticizing his creditor's stance on LBGTQ+.

Metro Bank has been accused of blocking a group of gender-critical parents from opening a new account amid a row over their political views.

Group founder Keith Jordan said the manager told the group he was unable to open a business account because “the content on your website is contrary to the culture and ideas we promote.”

Metro Bank said it “is and will remain politically neutral.”

p>< p>A spokesperson said: «The decision to close or review any account is taken for commercial reasons.»