Author called to account by building society

A building-society investor who wrote a guide on how best to go about carpetbagging has had his account closed.

Jon Massey's account was terminated by the Britannia Building Society, which strongly believes that building societies should not convert to banks, because he was campaigning against mutuality. In his booklet, The Carpetbagger's Accomplice, he says that anyone who did not want to earn a pounds 1,500 windfall from a pounds 100 investment was a "complete idiot".

Stephen Williams, chief solicitor for Britannia, wrote to Mr Massey, saying the society planned to close his saver account on 31 October, adding that unless Mr Massey had any other account or mortgage with it, then his membership would cease on that date. "Please do not ask to open any further accounts with the society as our staff have been instructed to decline any such requests," said Mr Williams, who did not disclose any reason for the move.

Mr Massey, from Plymouth, Devon, said he believed he had been unfairly treated, and intended to establish that the society was within its rights.