British Prime Minister fires Nadhim Zahawi

British PM Rishi Sunak fires Conservative Party Chair Nadhim Zahawi

by Staff Writer 29-01-2023 | 5:15 PM

Colombo (News 1st) - British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak fired the Conservative Party chair Nadhim Zahawi from the government on Sunday (29), after an investigation into his tax affairs found a serious breach of the ministerial code.

Sunak had ordered an independent adviser to investigate questions over the tax affairs of Zahawi.

After conducting a liberated investigation over his tax arrangements, Zahawi has said Britain's tax authorities ruled he had been "careless" with his declarations but hadn't deliberately made an error to pay less tax.

The British Prime Minister said in a letter to Zahawi, "Following the completion of the Independent Adviser’s investigation – the findings of which he has shared with us both – it is clear that there has been a serious breach of the Ministerial Code."

In the letter to Zahawi, the Prime Minister further said "As a result, I have informed you of my decision to remove you from your position in His Majesty’s Government."

The former chancellor has faced extensive questions in parliament and the media after it emerged he agreed to pay millions to Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs following a settlement with the tax department.

The independent adviser, Laurie Magnus found that Zahawi had been misleading when he stated that reports last July over his tax affairs were "clearly smears"

The prime minister, who had promised "integrity, professionalism, and accountability at every level" of his government, had come under increasing pressure to remove Zahawi from the cabinet, with Tory MPs questioning his decision to reappoint him. 

Source: Reuters/CNN/The Guardian