Zahawi's position is untenable – he has to go

News that the Prime Minister has ordered an ethics investigation into the tax affairs of ex Chancellor Nadhim Zahawi, is welcome, but will come too late for the public.

Zahawi has reportedly paid a penalty to HMRC of £1m as part of a tax settlement over allegations that he failed to pay the correct amount of tax.

But the damage to public confidence caused by the scandal has already been done. 

Tax Justice UK Executive Director, Robert Palmer, said:

“Clearly it’s unsustainable for someone in these circumstances to continue to attend cabinet. Zahawi has to go. 

“But the damage has already been done. At this time of year millions of people are filing their own taxes. 

“The vast majority of people don’t have access to complicated means of slashing their tax bill. We need a wholesale reform to ensure that everyone, especially those with wealth, pay their fair share.”