Rishi Sunak has finally sacked Nadhim Zahawi as Tory party chair over a "serious breach" of the ministerial code, more than six months after The Independent first revealed details of an HMRC investigation into Mr Zahawi's tax affairs. The former
chancellor - who is now facing calls to resign his seat as an MP did not apologise for his handling of his tax affairs and lashed out at the media in an exit letter to the PM.
More than eight days after it emerged that Mr Zahawi had paid a £1m fine to HMRC, the prime minister told him in a letter that there had been "a serious breach of the ministerial code" and that he would be stripped of his cabinet role. Mr Sunak revealed yesterday that his ethics adviser, Sir Laurie Magnus, had judged Mr Zahawi to have broken ministerial rules seven times by failing to be open and honest during the tax saga - including by making "untrue" public statements.
But former Tory minister Michael Portillo said the length of time it took Mr Sunak to act had made the prime minister "look weak", while Craig Oliver, a former director of communications for No 10, agreed that the delay had made the PM appear "quite weak". Conservative MP Nigel Mills also shared this frustration.
"I don't see why we couldn't have been here a week ago," he told The Independent, adding that it was "odd" for Mr Zahawi to be sacked for a lack of transparency rather than the fact that he had been fined £1m by HMRC while chancellor.
Esta historia es de la edición January 30, 2023 de The Independent.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 8500 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor ? Conectar
Esta historia es de la edición January 30, 2023 de The Independent.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 8500 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar
Africa's wildest coast, from the comfort of a cruise ship
Mark Stratton sets sail on a voyage into the unknown and discovers sobering insights into slavery and colonialism
'Thatcher still looms large, we're living in her country'
As his stage adaptation of 'Boys from the Blackstuff' hits the West End, playwright James Graham talks politics, football, Harvey Weinstein and work addiction
Moment that changed my relationship with my father
Like many others, Laura Coffey will spend Father's Day remembering her dad. The author reflects on how grief works, the power of endings, and a memorable day out
'Super Kev', football's nice guy who lived the dream
To many, Kevin Campbell is the answer to a famous football trivia question. To Everton fans, he was simply \"Super Kev\".
Italy display class to win after shock of early goal
The car horns were blaring all afternoon, roaring up and down the highway leading to Borussia Dortmund’s Westfalenstadion.
Yamal dazzles as new-look Spain get down to business
A new Spain, in more ways than one. As Lamine Yamal, who was not even a year old when they won Euro 2008, became first the youngest footballer to play in a European Championships and then, before half-time, the youngest to set up a goal in one, Luis de la Fuente’s side made a break with the past.
'Special' Alexander-Arnold remains centre of attention
Gareth Southgate says playing Trent Alexander-Arnold in central midfield is an \"opportunity worth grasping\" that could be \"incredibly special\".
Mea culpa: sorry to be going on about ongoing yet again
John Rentoul addresses errors in last week's Independent
A Kate no-show would have fed the hungry rumour mill
The prospect of Trooping the Colour without royalty's star turn felt a bit like Britain's sun-free summer. Flat. But with impeccable timing, accompanied by a photograph of the Princess of Wales in \"the woods\" (she's not out of them yet), Kate rallied for the monarchy's flagship event. Despite her cautious words, the princess clearly felt strong enough to bank on the King’s birthday parade being a “good day” rather than a “bad” one.
Sandcastles, no matter how big, are no match for waves
If Labour wins with a majority bigger than Tony Blair's, Keir Starmer will be hailed as a colossus. He will deserve to be. It doesn't matter how lucky he has been, or how much the Conservative Party appears to be run by secret agents of the opposition, the Labour leader has positioned himself astutely and not messed up.
