Ethics Adviser Clears Rishi Sunak Over Tax Affairs And Green Card
1 min read
Chancellor Rishi Sunak has been cleared of breaking ministerial rules over his wife's tax affairs and the US green card he possessed while serving in government.
Lord Geidt, the Independent Adviser on Ministers’ Interests, said on Wednesday that after investigating the two cases, he had found that Sunak had followed all rules.
Sunak referred himself to Geidt earlier this month amid questions around the ethics of his personal tax affairs.
The Chancellor faced intense scrutiny after The Independent reported that his wife, Akshata Murthy, had saved millions on her tax bill through her non-domicile status. She has since announced that she will pay UK taxes in full.
Pressure on him grew when Sky News reported that Sunak was a US green card holder 18 months after Boris Johnson appointed him chancellor of the exchequer. Holders of these cards must pay US tax on their global income and vow to make the US their permanent home.
Sunak's spokesperson at the time said he gave up the green card ahead of his first trip to the US as chancellor, and insisted that he had not broken any rules.
Geidt today confirmed that Sunak had not broken any ministerial rules.
He wrote: "I advise that the requirements of the Ministerial Code have been adhered to by the Chancellor, and that he has been assiduous in meeting his obligations and in engaging with this investigation".
PoliticsHome has approached the Chancellor for comment.
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