UK Conservative Party chairman Nadhim Zahavi was sacked from government by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on Sunday after an investigation into the former’s tax affairs revealed a serious violation of the ministerial code.
Sunak has appointed an independent adviser to investigate the tax affairs of Zahavi, who briefly served as Chancellor of the Exchequer during the UK’s political turmoil last year.
Zahavi said the British tax authorities ruled that he was “careless” with his returns, but did not make a deliberate mistake by paying less tax.
“Following the completion of the independent adviser’s investigation, which he shared with both of us, it became clear that there had been a serious violation of the ministerial code,” Sunak said in a letter to Zahavi.
“As a result, I have informed you of my decision to remove you from your post in His Majesty’s Government.”
Independent Counsel Laurie Magnus found Zahavi misleading when he said last July reports of his tax affairs were “blatantly defamatory.”
Zahavi did not correct the tape until last week, when he said he had reached an agreement with the authorities.
“I believe this delay in correcting the false public statement is inconsistent with the requirement of openness,” Magnus said in a letter to Sunak.
He added that Zahavi showed “insufficient attention” to the requirement to “be honest, open and exemplary in his behavior.”
“Mr. Zahavi’s conduct as a minister does not meet the high standards that you, as prime minister, rightly expect from those who serve in your government,” he said.
