By Ben Kerrigan-
Scotland’s First Minister, Nicolai Sturgeon has urged Nadhim Zahawi to step down after it was revealed he paid a penalty to resolve a multimillion-pound tax dispute.
It follows the order of an investigation by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on Monday, calling for new ethics adviser Sir Laurie Magnus on Monday to assess whether the former chancellor breached the ministerial code with the HMRC settlement, with Mr Sunak saying “clearly in this case there are questions that need answering”.
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Allies said on Monday that the former chancellor “absolutely” will not be quitting amid growing pressure over his estimated £5 million settlement
Mr Sunak said there were “questions that need answering” over the case.
Tory party chairman Mr Zahawi is facing calls to resign, after it emerged he paid a penalty to HMRC over previously unpaid tax while he was chancellor, as part of a multi-million pound dispute.
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Mr Sunak said there were “questions that need answering” over the case.
Sturgeon today added to calls for Mr Zahawi to resign, after it emerged he paid a penalty to HMRC over previously unpaid tax while he was chancellor, as part of a multi-million pound dispute.
Former chancellor Mr Zahawi said he was “confident I acted properly throughout”, and welcomed the investigation.
I think he should resign his current position as chair of the Conservative Party
Sturgeon told journalists on Monday, Nicola Sturgeon said Mr Zahawi should step down from his role.
“I think his position … is untenable. I think he should resign his current position as chair of the Conservative Party.
“It seems to be the case … that while he was Chancellor he settled a seven-figure tax bill with HMRC which included a very significant penalty.
)“That means, as far as I can see, that there must have been something untoward about his tax affairs to a very large tune, in terms of the amount of money involved.
“I think somebody who is a Government minister in that position, I just think their position is untenable.
“I would think he should resign his post, and if he doesn’t do so, rather than kicking it into the long grass and instructing an inquiry – as the Prime Minister has done this morning – I think the Prime Minister should remove him from office.
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