British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has sacked minister without portfolio and Conservative Party chairman Nadhim Zahawi over a breach of the ministerial code linked to his tax disputes, Downing Street announced on Sunday.
After an independent investigation, “it is clear that there has been a serious violation of the ministerial code”, wrote the head of government in a letter published by Downing Street.
“Accordingly, I inform you of my decision to remove you from your position in Her Majesty’s Government,” Rishi Sunak continued.
By dismissing Nadhim Zahawi rather than asking him to resign, Rishi Sunak seeks to assert his authority, he who had promised on his arrival in Downing Street “integrity, professionalism and responsibility”.
Britain’s Prime Minister had instructed his independent ethics adviser on Monday to investigate whether Mr Zahawi, who sits in the cabinet, breached the cabinet code in connection with the multi-million pound settlement he had to pay to settle a dispute with the tax authorities.
Mr Zahawi had settled his debts to the tax authorities, along with penalties, last year during his short-lived stint at the Ministry of Finance in the government of former Prime Minister Boris Johnson.
He then became, with the arrival of Mr. Sunak in Downing Street at the end of October, chairman of the Conservative party and minister without portfolio in government.
Ethics adviser Laurie Magnus concluded that Nadhim Zahawi should have declared the tax investigation he was the subject of and should also have updated his declaration of interests once his dispute with the tax authorities has been settled.
After 13 years in power, the Tories have seen their reputation tarnished by conflict of interest cases in recent years, fueling accusations of corruption from the Labor opposition, which is well ahead in the polls.
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