Forum Topic

A thank to Baron Siberia?

I know a few people who worked at the Evening Standard and the Independent and they all agree that both publications have been stripped down to the bare bones. Yet yesterday they broke what is probably the biggest scoop this year in British news.That the Chancellor's wife was non-domiciled for tax purposes would have been know to relatively few people outside government but one of them must have leaked it to the paper. Can anyone think of someone who perhaps may have been a social acquaintance of Evgeny Lebedev who perhaps made him a Lord who would have stood to gain by this information being put in the public domain and could rely on not being named as the source?

Tricia Arbuthnot ● 1620d14 Comments

Bad few weeks for Sunak. His honeymoon was only likely to last the furlough period as the underlying economic news was likely to be grim. Not only has he personally nixed any efforts to control the rising energy costs, but his family's ongoing business in Russia and his wife's legal but dubious tax status will really nobble him. It all looks like 'taxes and sacrifices are things that you mugs have to deal with, we're living it large'. How it was leaked was irrelevant really, not doing the shady stuff in the first place is the lesson.

Kevin Wilson ● 1620d

It is terminal for him which, in my view is a shame, because he was one of the more talented members of possibly the worst ever Cabinet of a UK government. The other options for our next Prime Minister are not particularly appealing with Sajid Javid seeming to be the only really palatable alternative. I disagree that the way in which the story got into the public domain is irrelevant. Not 100% convinced it was Johnson though. It has more of the style of Michael Gove as it implicates one of his rivals as hypocritical and the other as duplicitous and conniving. Not that Johnson would have hesitated for a second if he had thought of the plan first.

Gordon Southwell ● 1620d

Personally, I wish The Dream Team of Corbyn and Abbot were running the country..... 🤣

Rosco White ● 1620d

Not sure what your point is? If you are saying they would have been worse, you may be right but it would be a close run thing. I suspect they would have been equally inept but less corrupt.

Tricia Arbuthnot ● 1620d

Amazingly, The Chancellor did enter his wife status when appointed the job.No-one raised an eyebrow which even then, pre covid, would have .But does not say much for the Westminster Press Corp who are always looking for a spoon fed line rather than doing proper checking - far too tedious, and won't get a TV or Radio spot.They missed that and it was there for all to see.But fact is he did declare it, and it appears he may not have had to.  Which makes one wonder who else has similar connections and has not declared it?

Raymond Havelock ● 1620d

When you say he did enter this - where was this and was it in the public domain?Whilst the Westminster press may have missed it I'd be surprised if Private Eye did and I don't agree it would have been uncontroversial pre-Covid. Non-dom status has been under the spotlight for many years.

Tricia Arbuthnot ● 1620d

Reported on BBC Breakfast this morning.

Raymond Havelock ● 1620d

Private Eye magazine contained an article about Mrs Chancellor's tax arrangements, two or three weeks ago.

Tony Heath ● 1620d

Well before the illegal invasion of Ukraine exposed the Russian operations by Infosys, Private Eye had detailed the shareholding and tax arrangements of the man whose career has just sailed into the sunset. It was last year if not before.

N V Brooks ● 1620d

Re Corbyn & Abbot running the country - "..... but it would be a close run thing."You can not be serious?    😨

Rosco White ● 1620d

Seems that more revelations over the last 20 hours does impact the BBCs line of yesterday morning.He is correct, no rules or laws have been broken.But that does not make it right.This raft of loopholes for the very wealthy and even those on higher 'ordinary' salaries have gone unchecked for decades. Every now and then it gets raised.But nothing is done.It's part of why we have people some of whom are highly undesirable, some perfectly credible, spending or investing here.The Chancellor has no more control over his wife's fortune or inheritance than I dos over mine. It is her and her family affair.  There might be a void of £millions but the ethos is the same.But it is the law that is out of phase and needs changing.  None of this, unpalatable and certainly morally wrong is not illegal.  The conflict of interest I suppose, is that it is H M Treasury that can instigate the changes needed.The Chancellor could set precedent and at least set the ball rolling and lead by example.His wife may not have dinner ready when he gets home that night!!

Raymond Havelock ● 1619d

Ah, but their personal chef will!

Simon Hayes ● 1619d

Let’s update. Seems Rishi held a US green card until last October ( and wife?). They are for those who intend to be permanent residents. So we had a Chancellor whose base was the US while the wifey was busy arranging her tax to our disadvantage. Yes, I realise honesty and straightforwardness are not characteristics of our politicians, but one has to draw a line somewhere which Rishi & wifey have overstepped. It’s called taking the Michael.

Bettina Margaret Thwaite ● 1618d

Did Blair and both Millibands not get fast tracked Green cards ?

Raymond Havelock ● 1618d