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Peers and MPs 'must pay UK tax' | Peers and MPs 'must pay UK tax' |
(about 2 hours later) | |
All MPs and peers would have to pay taxes in the UK under legislation that would be rushed through if he became prime minister, David Cameron has said. | All MPs and peers would have to pay taxes in the UK under legislation that would be rushed through if he became prime minister, David Cameron has said. |
The Tory leader, facing questions about the tax status of one of his party's biggest donors and one of his would-be MPs, wanted to put it "beyond doubt". | The Tory leader, facing questions about the tax status of one of his party's biggest donors and one of his would-be MPs, wanted to put it "beyond doubt". |
He told Sky: "If you want to be in the Houses of Parliament... you need to be, or be treated as, a full UK taxpayer. | He told Sky: "If you want to be in the Houses of Parliament... you need to be, or be treated as, a full UK taxpayer. |
"We would pass that law if we get elected... as rapidly as we could." | "We would pass that law if we get elected... as rapidly as we could." |
Mr Cameron has faced regular questions since becoming leader about the tax status of prominent Conservative Party donor Lord Ashcroft, who has extensive business interests in Belize. | Mr Cameron has faced regular questions since becoming leader about the tax status of prominent Conservative Party donor Lord Ashcroft, who has extensive business interests in Belize. |
When he was made a Conservative peer in 2000, he gave an undertaking that he would pay taxes in the UK but has since refused to comment on his tax status, insisting it was a private matter. | When he was made a Conservative peer in 2000, he gave an undertaking that he would pay taxes in the UK but has since refused to comment on his tax status, insisting it was a private matter. |
'Hypocrisy' | 'Hypocrisy' |
Last month it emerged that Zac Goldsmith, the party's candidate for Richmond Park in south west London, was non-domiciled for tax purposes - although he said that was a position he was ending. | Last month it emerged that Zac Goldsmith, the party's candidate for Richmond Park in south west London, was non-domiciled for tax purposes - although he said that was a position he was ending. |
Mr Cameron said a new law would "will bring much needed clarity to the situation so that the whole country can see that the law is there and being obeyed". | Mr Cameron said a new law would "will bring much needed clarity to the situation so that the whole country can see that the law is there and being obeyed". |
Mr Cameron said donations by Lord Ashcroft were "within the law" because he was resident in the UK and on the electoral register. | Mr Cameron said donations by Lord Ashcroft were "within the law" because he was resident in the UK and on the electoral register. |
But he said the tax status of many peers from different parties was currently "rather unclear", he said. | But he said the tax status of many peers from different parties was currently "rather unclear", he said. |
Transport Secretary Lord Adonis said a law change was not needed, saying the Conservatives could just bring in such a rule for all its peers and MPs now. | Transport Secretary Lord Adonis said a law change was not needed, saying the Conservatives could just bring in such a rule for all its peers and MPs now. |
A Labour Party spokesman called it a "brazen attempt... to obscure the truth about Lord Ashcroft's tax status" and said it was "a largely academic point... [as] no non-doms sit in the House of Commons". | A Labour Party spokesman called it a "brazen attempt... to obscure the truth about Lord Ashcroft's tax status" and said it was "a largely academic point... [as] no non-doms sit in the House of Commons". |
The spokesman said it was government policy "to ensure that anyone sitting in a reformed second chamber is subject to UK tax law". | The spokesman said it was government policy "to ensure that anyone sitting in a reformed second chamber is subject to UK tax law". |
Liberal Democrat home affairs spokesman Chris Huhne said: "It is the height of hypocrisy for the Tories to suggest a new law when they opposed Liberal Democrat Lord Oakeshott's bill to stop non-doms sitting as peers. | Liberal Democrat home affairs spokesman Chris Huhne said: "It is the height of hypocrisy for the Tories to suggest a new law when they opposed Liberal Democrat Lord Oakeshott's bill to stop non-doms sitting as peers. |
"Someone who wants to pass laws about tax in this country ought to pay this country's full taxes, and not hide behind the special offshore status of non-doms." | "Someone who wants to pass laws about tax in this country ought to pay this country's full taxes, and not hide behind the special offshore status of non-doms." |
But a Tory spokesman said Mr Huhne was "wrong", adding: "When the other parties attack these proposals it just shows they don't get it. | |
"We are arguing for transparency to allay questions that have been asked of all major parties, they should be supporting us and working with us instead of sniping." |