‘Insta-banker’ launches bitter court battle against former lawyers

A jet-setting financier known as the ‘Insta-banker’ has launched a bitter court battle against his former lawyers. 

Anthony Watson heads the Bank of London and is the only openly gay chief executive of a British bank. 

He is taking legal action against City law firm Simmons & Simmons. 

Watson’s financial services start-up, which has Lord Mandelson on the board, has accused Simmons & Simmons of a conflict of interest and of failing to protect its confidential business plans. 

The Bank of London is a newly-licensed clearing bank that will process payments in Britain and abroad. 

It is still yet to formally launch and does not have any customers. Watson caused a stir after posting pictures of his lavish lifestyle on Instagram. 

A bank spokesman said: ‘Simmons & Simmons displayed contempt for us as a client. We won’t be bullied. We will see this through to the end.’ 

Simmons & Simmons was contacted for comment.