Lord Hayward believes Nadhim Zahawi should think about “stepping away” while parliament’s ethics watchdog investigates his tax troubles.
A Conservative Lord is the latest senior Conservative to request that Nadhim Zahawi reconsider his views.
Lord Hayward stated that the Tory Party leader should consider “stepping away”. While the ethics watchdog of parliament investigates his tax troubles.
“We don’t know what the deadlines are for the inquiry, and I believe that’s essential,” he told.
I believe he should consider stepping away for the duration of the investigation.
This comes after former minister Caroline Nokes stated that there are “too many unanswered questions” regarding the tax dispute and that Mr. Zahawi should “step down and allow the probe to run its course.”
The investigation by the new ethics adviser Sir Laurie Magnus is expected to focus on whether the cabinet member violated the ministerial code with the estimated £4.8m HMRC settlement he made while chancellor, but it could also examine his prior tax arrangement and if he misled to the media.
Rishi Sunak stated that there are “issues that need to be answered”. However he has been criticized for refusing to resign.
When he appointed Mr. Zahawi to his cabinet in October. It is unclear what the prime minister knew about his dealings with the tax office.
Tory peer Lord Hayward urges Nadhim Zahawi to “examine his position”
Lord Hayward is also a polling expert and has provided election advice to successive Conservative governments.
He stated that Mr. Sunak’s current problems, particularly Mr. Zahawi’s tax concerns, are “flatlining” the Conservative Party’s support alongside the continuous strikes.
At Wednesday’s Prime Minister’s Questions, Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer is certain to exploit the impact of Mr. Zahawi’s multimillion-pound settlement.
As queries were asked concerning his tax troubles during last week’s PMQs. Mr. Sunak stated that Mr. Zahawi had “previously resolved this matter in its entirety.”
But this was before the cabinet minister said in a statement that he paid what HMRC said “was required” after it “disagreed about the actual allotment” of shares in YouGov, the polling company he co-founded, an error he described as “careless and not purposeful.”
Mr. Zahawi paid a fine to the tax collector as part of a settlement with HMRC.
According to sources close to Mr. Zahawi, he “certainly will not step down.”
In a statement released on Monday, he said, “I am satisfied I acted appropriately at all times. And look forward to answering any particular concerns posed by Sir Laurie in a formal forum.”
