Politics

Rishi Sunak has finally sacked Nadhim Zahawi – 15 ‘good riddance’ messages

Oonagh Keating. Updated January 30th, 2023

After months of speculation about his tax affairs and more than a week of calls to resign over the revelation that he had paid a penalty to HMRC while he was Chancellor of the Exchequer, Nadhim Zahawi has been sacked by Rishi Sunak.

The government’s Ethics Adviser – yes, they actually have one – Sir Laurie Magnus was damning about Zahawi in his report.

He criticised him for failing to raise the matter of the HMRC investigation when being vetted to become a minister, and also for false statements he made, which he failed to correct for several months.

‘On 10th July 2022, following media speculation, Mr Zahawi made a public statement. He said:

“There have been news stories over the last few days which are inaccurate, unfair and are clearly smears … These smears have falsely claimed that the Serious Fraud Office, the National Crime Agency, and HMRC are looking into me. Let me be absolutely clear. I am not aware of this …

I’ve always declared my financial interests and paid my taxes in the UK. If there are questions, of course, I will answer any questions HMRC has of me.”

Mr Zahawi did not correct the record until 21st January 2023, when Mr Zahawi’s public statement indicated that he had reached a settlement with HMRC following an investigation. I consider that this delay in correcting an untrue public statement is inconsistent with the requirement for openness’

Here’s the collective ‘About time!’ from tweeters.

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

Article Pages: 1 2