nadeem zahavi The political crisis over his tax affairs has been mounting since HMRC agreed to a settlement to end a dispute.
The dispute over the alleged seven-figure sum to settle the case has increased the pressure Rishi Sunak to sack the former businessman and MP for Stratford-upon-Avon.
trade union leader keir starmer Mr Zahavi’s position as Tory party chairman is “untenable” and the prime minister should “show some leadership” by sacking him.
Nadeem Zahawi is currently the Tory chairman.
(PA Wire)
It is not the first time Zahavi has been embroiled in controversy after being embroiled in an MPs’ expenses scandal in 2009 and reportedly barred from receiving a knighthood over his tax matters.
Below, we take a look at some of the occasions that he has made headlines for all the wrong reasons.
Pays HMRC to settle tax disputes
Mr Zahavi is facing mounting pressure after making a settlement payment to HMRC to end a tax dispute relating to a shareholding in YouGov.
In a statement on Saturday, the Tory party chairman issued a statement on Saturday “to clear up some confusion about my finances” after it was reported that he had to pay a seven-figure sum to HMRC to end the dispute. paid off.
But the statement raised further questions, including whether Zahavi had negotiated the agreement while serving as chancellor and in charge of the country’s taxation.
The investigation into Mr Zahavi’s finances was first reported in The Independent last July, when it emerged that the sale of shares in the polling company he co-founded 22 years ago was being investigated.
Mr Zahavi has not disclosed the size of the settlement – reported to be an estimated £4.8 million including a 30% penalty – or confirm whether he has paid the fine.
The uproar has increased political pressure on Rishi Sunak, who has ordered his new ethics adviser, Sir Laurie Magnus, to investigate Mr Zahavi’s tax affairs.
He served as the first chancellor – briefly
(PA Wire)
‘Blocked from knighthood’ over tax matters
The tax dispute has reportedly put an end to Mr Zahavi’s chances of receiving a knighthood.
He was due to receive a knighthood in the New Year’s honors list, but was later blocked by Whitehall officials after an inquiry with HMRC about his tax status in December, The Sun reported on Sunday.
tax campaigner Richard Murphy, professor at Sheffield University Management School, Told Independent HMRC has the power to uncover tax disputes Reasons to get a respect for people.
“He has the power to advise Security Services, Number 10, the Cabinet Office, about the potential risks with appointments,” he said.
Zahavi used taxpayer money to heat his stables
(Reuters)
Using taxpayer money to heat your stables
Mr. Zahavi was one of the many politicians caught in the MP expenses scam After it emerged that taxpayers were footing the bill so that his stables could be heated.
The MP for Stratford-upon-Avon claimed she was “mortified” over her £5,822 spending claim for her energy bills to cover electricity and heating oil for her property in Warwickshire, which she named a second home it was done.
In a statement released on Sunday, he said: “Since the coverage of my energy bills last week I have been looking into them further and can confirm that all claims for fuel heating relate solely to my second home.
“Though I have made a mistake with my power claims. Upon investigation I found that the mobile home located in the stable yard and the power supply for the stables was connected to my house.
“While there was a meter installed in the stable yard I was only receiving one bill, mistakenly assumed I was receiving two and didn’t check it sooner.
“I am mortified by this mistake and apologize unreservedly for it.”
Rishi Sunak refuses to say whether Nadim Zahavi should resign over tax probe
Attending the men-only Presidents Club Dinner
Mr Zahavi was given a “dressing down” during a meeting with Tory chief whip Julian Smith in January 2018 After attending a men-only dinner, where reports surfaced of hostesses being teased and harassed by guests.
The allegations at the Presidents Club dinner came to light following an undercover investigation by the Financial Times. The allegations were called “a gross example of sexual harassment” by former Labor leader Jeremy Corbyn.
Mr Zahavi reportedly said he found the dinner “extremely uncomfortable” and left the ceremony early.
In response, he wrote on social media, ‘I categorically condemn this behavior. The report is really shocking. I will never attend a men-only event.
Additional reporting by agencies