Rishi Orders Ethics Investigation 'To Get To Bottom' Of Zahawi Tax Affairs

RISHI Sunak yesterday ordered his ethics adviser to investigate party chairman Nadhim Zahawi's tax affairs.

- Sam Lister

The Prime Minister said there are still "questions that need answering" about the former chancellor's settlement with the taxman.

Mr Zahawi is under pressure to quit after it emerged he had paid a penalty to HM Revenue and Customs in a multi-million-pound dispute.

Mr Sunak said he was not party leader at the time of the allegations and insisted the advice he received when he gave Mr Zahawi a senior role was that there was "no reason" not to appoint him.

Independent ethics adviser Sir Laurie Magnus is now expected to focus on whether Mr Zahawi made the proper ministerial declarations about his tax affairs, but could also delve into his financial arrangements.

Advice

The PM said: "I think it is important we do these things professionally. Integrity and accountability is important to me, but it's also important we do these things properly.

"That's why the independent adviser has been asked to fully investigate this matter and provide advice to me on Nadhim Zahawi's compliance with the ministerial code, and on the basis of that we'll decide on the appropriate next steps."