UK’S SUNAK DISMISSES CONSERVATIVE PARTY CHAIRMAN ZAHAWI AFTER TAX PROBE

Sun 29 January 2023:

After an independent investigation into his tax affairs revealed a severe violation of the ministerial code, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak fired Conservative Party Chair Nadhim Zahawi from his position.

Sunak wrote to Zahawi on Sunday and stated, “Following the completion of the Independent Adviser’s investigation – the findings of which he has shared with us both – it is clear that there has been a serious breach of the Ministerial Code.”

“As a result, I have informed you of my decision to remove you from your position in His Majesty’s Government.”

Zahawi misled when he indicated that reports about his tax affairs in July were “clearly smears,” according to independent ethics expert Laurie Magnus.

UK PM SUNAK ASKS ETHICS ADVISER TO INVESTIGATE NADHIM ZAHAWI OVER TAX AFFAIRS

Zahawi did not correct the record until last week, when he said he had reached a settlement with the authorities.

“I consider that this delay in correcting an untrue public statement is inconsistent with the requirement for openness,” Magnus said in a letter to Sunak.

He added that Zahawi had shown “insufficient regard” for the requirement “to be honest, open and an exemplary leader through his own behaviour.”

“Mr. Zahawi’s conduct as a Minister has fallen below the high standards that, as Prime Minister, you rightly expect from those who serve in your government,” he said.

The tax issue stems from Zahawi’s co-founding of opinion polling firm YouGov in 2000, in which he claimed his father invested to support its launch.

When the issue was raised during Zahawi’s appointment as finance minister last year, Britain’s tax office disagreed with the number of shares given to his father.

Zahawi said on Saturday he had paid dues and settled the matter with the tax office, which he said concluded that he had made a “careless and not deliberate” error. Zahawi reportedly handed over a fine for late payment worth £5m ($6.2m).

Sunak and his government had been questioned about the dispute for several days, with increasing pressure on Zahawi to step down.

SOURCE: INDEPENDENT PRESS AND NEWS AGENCIES

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