This is how Lancashire police reported Rishi Sunak’s driving offence:
‘Good evening
You will be aware that a video has been circulating on social media showing an individual failing to wear a seat belt while a passenger in a moving car in Lancashire.
After looking into this matter, we have today (Friday, January 20th) issued a 42-year-old man from London with a conditional offer of fixed penalty.’
And another member of the Cabinet is also at it:
Pressure has been mounting on the 55-year-old politician to respond to questions over his tax affairs, however up to now he had refused to comment.
The Guardian first reported that he paid a 30% penalty, taking the estimated total tax bill to more than £4.8 million.
Ahead of his statement, Labour had renewed calls for the Prime Minister to take action, and sack Mr Zahawi.
Speaking at the Fabian Society conference on Saturday, Labour’s shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves said: “A few months ago… He was chancellor of the Exchequer and responsible for Britain’s tax affairs and tax collection, and we now find that he wasn’t so keen to pay himself.
“So, if the Prime Minister wants to stick by his commitment for integrity, honesty and professionalism, he should do the right thing and sack Nadhim Zahawi.”
Mr Zahawi was Chancellor between July and September last year, in the closing days of Boris Johnson’s premiership.
However, Deputy Prime Minister Dominic Raab defended Mr Zahawi, telling Sky News: “I can’t speak for the personal tax affairs of a colleague, but what I would say is that Nadhim has been very clear that he’s paid all the tax that he’s owed, that he’s paid it on time, that there’s nothing outstanding due, and I think that’s of course right and proper.
“If there’s further questions, of course, I’m sure there’ll be the proper transparency.”
Asked if Mr Zahawi will still be in his post in a month, Mr Raab said: “A month’s a long time in politics. I certainly hope so.”
A spokesman for Mr Zahawi previously said his taxes were “properly declared and paid in the UK” and the minister had “never had to instruct any lawyers to deal with HMRC on his behalf”.
Rishi Sunak also defended his colleague at Prime Minister’s Questions (PMQs) on Wednesday, saying Mr Zahawi “has already addressed this matter in full and there’s nothing more that I can add”.
The spotlight on Mr Zahawi’s tax affairs has rounded off a challenging week for the PM, who on Friday was fined by police for not wearing a seatbelt in the back of a moving car.
It’s not just Nadhim Zahawi
£570,000,000,000 is held by Britain’s super-rich in offshore tax havens.
£18,500,000,000 is lost in tax every year through these schemes.
£3,200,000,000 is avoided yearly by non-doms like the PM’s wife.
It’s time to end the scam.
Spot the difference
Lester Piggott – 3 years prison for £3m tax fraud.
— El Christo (@ElRaynerista) January 18, 2023
Boris Becker – 2.5 years prison for £2.5m tax fraud.
Nadhim Zahawi – 0 mins prison for £3.7m tax fraud.
Not only isn't Zahawi facing prison, he's still Chairman of the Tory Party, facing no disciplinary action – at all. pic.twitter.com/7BymHlt59I
Penny Lane
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