EX-CEO OF Al-RAYAN BANK SETS THE RECORD STRAIGHT

On 5 August 2019, The Times published an article with the headline “Female Circumcision is like clipping a nail, claimed speaker”, which included a photo of Mr Sultan Choudhury, a former CEO of Al Rayan Bank. The article was misleading, libellous, and inferred that Mr Choudhury had made comments about female genital mutilation; comments which he did not make and a practice he personally finds abhorrent.

Mr Choudhury refutes the allegations made about him in the article on the basis they are wholly incorrect. He has never made any comments about this subject and is perplexed that his name has been besmirched in this manner.

In the article, the positioning of Mr Choudhury’s name and picture alongside a statement which he has never made, and which reflects views that he has never held or endorsed is wholly disingenuous. This is especially misleading considering that this is the only part of the article visible to non-subscribers of The Times, due to the paywall in operation. When viewed online, it appears that Mr Choudhury endorses or holds similar views – something that is denied unequivocally by Mr Choudhury.

Mr Choudhury is highly regarded in the banking industry in the UK as well as being recognised in the wider community for his charitable efforts and for being a gentleman of impeccable character. He has been awarded an OBE by Her Majesty the Queen and regularly assists charities on a voluntary basis. He is well known and a well liked family man who refutes outright The Times’ attempt to link him to illegal, extreme, or violent ideologies or practices.

Despite this, Mr Choudhury has been subjected to public censure following the article which not only wrongly attributes repugnant attitudes to him, but also conflates an independent not-for-profit UK based organisation (which Mr Choudhury has helped in the past) with an overseas based entity into which Mr Choudhury has no input.

Mr Choudhury is taking advice from his legal team and will shortly take appropriate action to clear his name and reputation.