Lloyds blocks mortgage for activist's mother, citing adverse media coverage

Lloyds Bank declined a mortgage request from Emma Kamio, who runs a small business in south Wales, after a business development manager said the bank was uncomfortable supporting the deal because of adverse media linked to her daughter’s activism. Emma’s daughter, Leona “Ellie” Kamio, is one of four Palestine Action members convicted of criminal damage for sabotaging Israeli military equipment at an Elbit Systems plant in Filton, Gloucestershire, and was labeled a terrorist by the court.

While Ellie was on remand, Lloyds mailed her a letter in February 2025 stating the bank could no longer maintain a relationship, without providing a reason. Emma’s broker proposed moving the properties to her sister’s name, but Lloyds still refused the mortgage. The bank maintains that its lending decisions follow relevant laws and regulations, not political views. CAGE International’s Anas Mustapha described the treatment as collective punishment and called for an inquiry into the bank’s opaque risk assessments.