Queen's bank denies security breach

Coutts, the Queen's banker, has denied a breach of security after reports that German authorities had bought a list of suspected tax dodgers who were customers of the bank.

The Financial Times Deutschland reported that officials in the western state of North Rhine-Westphalia paid £2.75 million for a CD containing the names of 1,000 rich German clients of the British private bank's Swiss unit.

Coutts, which has served as banker to the British royal family since the 18th century, said it had no evidence that client confidentiality had been breached.

A spokeswoman said: "We are aware of the continued media speculation regarding a potential breach of client data secrecy at Coutts.

"Following thorough investigation, we have no evidence to suggest any such breach has taken place.

"As we stated to media last year, we take the protection of client data extremely seriously."

Germany has irritated Switzerland by repeatedly buying stolen bank data in its pursuit of suspected German tax evaders.

A deal between the two countries to end the tax spat is being blocked by opposition-controlled German states such as North Rhine-Westphalia.

Tax authorities in North Rhine-Westphalia could not immediately be reached.

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