It’s things like this that grind my gears. I thought that First Direct was better than this, though 
I think the value of a product isn’t just in what it costs you, but the quality of the service and the absence of issues like this. So, for me, the value of a Monzo account is much greater than one that pays me interest - or gives me £100 to join - simply because these things don’t happen.
(Really sorry to hear this, by the way. Don’t First Direct give you a switching incentive then some more money if you’re not happy? I’d pocket both of them if I were you! 
)