The smell of scandal lingers over the British Conservative Party. On Friday January 20, Lancashire (North West England) police somewhat inappropriately boasted (on Twitter) that they had fined Rishi Sunak for not wearing a seat belt. Earlier in the day, Downing Street released a video of the Tory prime minister traveling the north of the country, in the back seat of his company car, without an obvious seat belt, touting his policy. Mr. Sunak agreed “Misjudgment”.
Criticism would have been confused if not for the second fine within a year received by the leader who promised to lead when he arrived in Downing Street in October 2022. “Professionalism, Integrity and Accountability”. In spring 2022, the Greater London Police gave him permission for briefly attending a party in Downing Street during his imprisonment. It was the birthday of then Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who was also granted permission by Scotland Yard.
There’s more confusion: Nadim Zahavi, a minister without portfolio in the Sunak government and leader of the Conservative Party, on Sunday, Jan. 22, admitted that he had been in trouble with the tax authorities for the past year. According to the BBC, he had to pay up to £5m (€5.7m) in fines for under-declaring his income after he sold shares in polling firm Youkov. . However, in the summer of 2022, Mr. It appears that this large fine was negotiated when Zahavi was Chancellor of the Exchequer, i.e. Finance Minister.
The minister did not deny this conflict of interest, as he assured that his tax was not disputed “on purpose” But related “Indifference”. I am L He refused to resign. How long will it last? On Monday, January 23, Rishi Sunak called for an internal inquiry. Mr. The position of Zahavi” unacceptable, Judge Angela Rayner, Deputy Leader of the Labor Party. Mr. Sunak, Mr. The longer he delays giving permission to Zahavi, the weaker the prime minister will appear. »
“It’s like a banana republic.”
Mr. Zahavi Sunak is the fourth member of the cabinet. Before him, Gavin Williamson had to give up his mantle a fortnight after being appointed minister without portfolio following harassment allegations. Justice Minister Dominic Raab is the subject of internal investigations into harassment, but he is clinging to his post. Interior Minister Suella Braverman accused him of careless handling of classified information.
You should read 37.18% of this article. The following is for subscribers only.
“Web aficionado. Lifelong music lover. Pop culture guru. Professional tv expert. Wannabe beer scholar. Hipster-friendly coffee nerd.”