Tories probe minister Caroline Nokes over council tax complaint
2 min read
Tory minister Caroline Nokes is being investigated by her own party over claims she paid the wrong amount of council tax.
An investigation was launched after a local campaigner complained about the conversion of a former coach house at her family home on the edge of the New Forest in Hampshire.
He argues there has been no change in the council tax banding since her parents moved into the redevelopment, which now includes a kitchen, living room and bedroom, according to the Sunday Times.
The probe will consider whether the Immigration Minister breached the Conservative party code of conduct, which states that those in public office should be “truthful” and “accountable for their decisions”.
The result of the inquiry is now being scrutinised by an independent panel, led by a deputy high court judge, the paper says.
Ms Nokes said in response to the allegations: “I have paid all council tax on my property in full for every year I have lived there. In choosing to live as an extended family, my parents and I have made sensible provision for their old age and, in so doing, have freed up a family home in the same village.
“The planning authority and the council tax billing authority have confirmed that the accommodation for my parents is ancillary to the main house and that as it is occupied by over-65s it has a standard exemption from council tax.”
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