Nadhim Zahawi 'transparent' over tax affairs - Raab

Nadhim Zahawi has been "transparent" astir his taxation affairs, the lawman premier curate says, aft reports the Tory Party president paid a punishment to HMRC.

Dominic Raab told the BBC "all the taxation owed has been paid" and it was for Mr Zahawi to reply immoderate further questions.

But Labour's Angela Rayner said the erstwhile chancellor should beryllium sacked.

The BBC has approached Mr Zahawi for remark connected the latest allegations.

The institution astatine the centre of the enactment is Balshore Investments and it is registered offshore successful Gibraltar.

Mr Zahawi has faced questions implicit whether helium utilized Balshore to clasp shares successful YouGov, the polling institution helium co-founded successful 2000 - thing helium has ever denied.

According to the Guardian, helium has had to wage backmost the taxation helium owed with a 30% punishment and the full amounts to £4.8m.

The BBC has been incapable to verify that figure, but erstwhile the Guardian asked repeatedly astir the penalty, Mr Zahawi's spokesperson did not contradict 1 had been paid.

When pressed connected the full amount, which was thought to see the alleged penalty, the spokesperson said: "Nadhim Zahawi does not recognise this magnitude … arsenic helium has antecedently stated, his taxes are decently declared and paid successful the UK."

Speaking to BBC Radio 4's Today programme, the lawman PM said Mr Zahawi "has been transparent astir the information that each of the taxation has been paid and helium doesn't person immoderate taxation outstanding".

"He has been wide that each of his taxation owed to HMRC are up to day and paid successful full," Mr Raab added.

"If helium needs to reply immoderate further questions I'm definite he'll bash so".

Asked whether Mr Zahawi should code the contented successful Parliament, Mr Raab said: "That's a substance for him".

Meanwhile, Labour's lawman person told the BBC Mr Zahawi's "story doesn't adhd up".

Ms Rayner said: "The presumption of the antheral who was until precocious successful complaint of the UK's taxation system, and who this premier curate appointed Conservative Party Chair, is present untenable.

"It's clip for Rishi Sunak to enactment his wealth wherever his rima is and disregard Nadhim Zahawi from his cabinet."

She added: "The information that Nadhim hasn't been retired connected the airwaves explaining himself to maine adds insult to injury."