Nadhim Zahawi sacked by PM
Nadhim Zahawi was sacked Sunday as Tory party chairman following an investigation into his tax affairs launched 6 months ago that led to a multi-million pound settlement with HMRC and an additional 30% penalty. HMRC launched the investigation to examine whether or not Zahawi had avoided tax payments by using an offshore company to hold shares in YouGov.
The prime minister’s ethics adviser, Sir Laurie Magnus, determined that he had been in serious breach of the ministerial code, and Sunak subsequently sacked Zahawi. However, it is still currently unknown how long Zahawi’s interactions with HMRC went undeclared.
Left-wing media were largely dismayed at how long it took to reach a conclusion as well as the apparent attempts to cover up the tax probe by HMRC. Right-wing outlets opted to focus on the unfairness of Zahawi’s defense hearing and praise for Sunak’s decision to fire him – but surprisingly, some right-wing tabloids seemed to take a more left-leaning approach.
Many also criticised the way Sunak handled the investigation, noting how he pledged to renew the importance of honesty and integrity in the Tory party.
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The Times also ran an accompanying piece that is suggestive of a more sympathetic stance and appears to attempt to defend Zahawi.
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