First let me say I find moneysavingexpert posts very difficult to navigate. Having said this a MSE employee says this at the start (I think) of the Tax Haven post: "Barclays set a 14 day timescale for opening these accounts, and if it takes long than this, any interest will be backdated to the 14 day point once the account is fully open." They certainly didn't set the 14 days at the start and it was NEVER in official literature at the start or any time to my knowledge. This from Martin Lewis' website who was such a vociferous champion of refunds on bank charges. I AM BAFFLED why Mr Lewis has taken a such a soft line on this 'backdating' matter where the principle at stake is certainly equally important as 'bank charges'. Please appreciate that if Barclays gets away with this 'backdating' issue this opens the floodgates for other institutions. FROM NOW ON THE CAUTIOUS SAVER SHOULD CONTACT ANY SAVINGS INSTITUTION AND ASK THEIR POLICY ON THE 'BACKDATING' ISSUE BEFORE SAVING WITH THAT INSTITUTION.

ALLEGATION

Remember there was no thought of Barclays doing this for TAX BEATER last year. I think some smart 'bum' at Barclays saw all the cash piling in and sitting in current accounts earning no or nominal interest and thought that'll help the credit crunched banking sector for a period. Even if the help was relatively modest, please remember what we have been through AND what Barclays for one has been hiding since the start of TAX HAVEN to now - have a look at the share price then and now!