NatWest worker told customer 'vegans should be punched' Published duration 18 February 2019

image copyright Getty Images image caption NatWest apologised and said it had started disciplinary proceedings against the employee

A customer who called a bank to apply for a loan was told "all vegans should be punched in the face".

The Bristol woman, who did not want to be named, went to NatWest for a loan to pay for a £400 nutrition diploma.

The application was rejected but after listening to a recording of the call, NatWest offered to pay for the course.

The bank said the outburst - which came after the woman told the bank worker she was a vegan - was "wholly inappropriate".

NatWest also offered the woman compensation of just under £200.

The woman said after the man told her "all vegans should be punched in the face" he explained it was because vegan activists had drawn pictures of animals and written messages such as "friends not food" in chalk on pavements near where he lived.

image copyright Peta image caption The bank worker said he was upset by vegan messages written in chalk on pavements, similar to this one

He felt "vegans were forcing their beliefs on to him", she added.

"He wasn't happy to be speaking to me at all, his tone was really unpleasant. Being vegan is a lifestyle choice, I shouldn't be penalised for it, especially by a big organisation. It's extremely unfair."

She told BBC Radio Bristol the exchange, on 23 January, made her feel "really uncomfortable".

image copyright Getty Images image caption The woman said being vegan was a "lifestyle choice" and she should not be "penalised" for it

NatWest said: "We are extremely sorry for the way our customer was treated by a member of our staff and apologise for any distress and upset that this behaviour caused.

"These comments were wholly inappropriate and we have commenced disciplinary proceedings.