Pro-Palestine activist couple have UK bank account closed without explanation

John Nicholson (pictured) is treasurer of Greater Manchester Friends of Palestine, and his partner, Norma Turner, is chair. Photograph: Gary Calton/The Guardian

A retired British couple who are members of a grassroots pro-Palestine organisation which had its bank account frozen have had their joint personal account closed without explanation.

John Nicholson, 70, and Norma Turner, 76, who, as treasurer and chair respectively, were signatories to the Greater Manchester Friends of Palestine (GMFP) account with Virgin Money, said their account with Yorkshire Building Society (YBS) was intended as a nest egg.