Nadhim Zahawi has accepted he had to pay a one-off sum to HMRC and called it a “careless error” – but he only made this admission on Saturday.
Let’s have a look back at how this unfolded:
6 July – The day after Zahawi is made chancellor, The Independent reports that he had been the subject of an investigation by the National Crime Agency and HMRC. Zahawi tells the paper he has no knowledge of this, and that he had “paid all taxes”
11 July – While taking part in the summer edition of the Tory Party leadership contest, Zahawi said allegations he was under investigation were an attempt to smear him
13 July – He was eliminated from the contest which Liz Truss went on to win
25 Oct – Zahawi is appointed Tory Party chairman after Rishi Sunak replaced Liz Truss as prime minister
15 Jan – The Sun claims Zahawi paid up millions in tax and settled a dispute with HMRC – he declines whether to say the story is correct
18 Jan – Rishi Sunak comes under pressure in Parliament over Zahawi’s tax affairs and backs his colleague, saying he has “already addressed this matter in full”
20 Jan – The Guardian reports Zahawi agreed to pay a penalty to HMRC and when asked repeatedly about the penalty, Zahawi’s spokesperson does not deny one had been paid. They insist Zahawi’s taxes are properly declared and paid in the UK
21 Jan – Labour calls for an investigation with deputy leader Angela Rayner saying Zahawi’s position is “untenable”. Later that day, Zahawi issues a statement saying an error in his tax affairs was “careless and not deliberate”
The exact timing as to when the settlement was reached with HMRC remains unclear, as does the amount paid. The BBC understands it to be in the region of £5m.
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No, he didn't try and brush it off at all
