Rishi Sunak orders investigation into Zahawi’s tax affairs

• Nadhim Zahawi paid a penalty to HM Revenue and Customs for previously unpaid tax.
• Rishi Sunak has asked his independent ethics adviser to look into the case.
• Mr Zahawi says he will continue to lead the Tory Party throughout the investigation.

The disclosures regarding Nadhim Zahawi‘s tax troubles have been brought to light, and Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has requested his independent ethics adviser to look into them.

Mr. Sunak said there were “questions that need answering” over the case.

Following revelations that Mr. Zahawi, the chairman of the Tory party, paid a penalty to HMRC for previously unpaid tax while serving as chancellor as part of a multi-million dollar dispute, requests for his resignation have been made.

He said he was “confident” he had “acted properly throughout”.

On a visit to a hospital in Northamptonshire, Mr Sunak told reporters: “Integrity and accountability is really important to me and clearly in this case there are questions that need answering.

“That’s why I’ve asked our independent adviser to get to the bottom of everything, to investigate the matter fully and establish all the facts and provide advice to me on Nadhim Zahawi’s compliance with the ministerial code.”

He continued by saying that Mr. Zahawi had agreed to “fully cooperate” and would continue to lead the Tory Party throughout the probe.

Mr. Zahawi issued a statement in which he expressed his appreciation for the investigation and his eagerness to “explain the realities of this situation” to Sir Laurie Magnus, the prime minister’s independent adviser on minister’s interests.

“You will appreciate that it would be improper to address this matter any further, while I maintain my duties as chairman of the Conservative and Unionist Party,” he continued. “In order to ensure the independence of this process.”

Opposition parties demanded, however, that Mr. Zahawi be immediately removed from his position.

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