This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk_politics/8542744.stm

The article has changed 17 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
Ashcroft admits 'non-dom' status Ashcroft admits 'non-dom' status
(20 minutes later)
Conservative donor and deputy party chairman Lord Ashcroft has admitted he is "non-domiciled" in the UK for tax.Conservative donor and deputy party chairman Lord Ashcroft has admitted he is "non-domiciled" in the UK for tax.
He said he agreed with David Cameron that anyone sitting in the Lords must be "resident and domiciled" in the UK. His statement came after years of questions from opposition parties about his tax status.
He said he expected "to be sitting in the House of Lords for many years to come", suggesting his status would change if the Tories win the election. He said he agreed with Tory leader David Cameron's call for anyone in the Lords to be "resident and domiciled".
Mr Cameron said, in another statement, he was "pleased" that Lord Ashcroft had decided to clarify his position. Lord Ashcroft said he expected "to be sitting in the House of Lords for many years", suggesting he would change his tax status if the law changed.
The Tory leader said he was "pleased" that Lord Ashcroft had decided to clarify his position.
A "non-dom" is someone who is resident in the UK but not domiciled in the UK for tax purposes - although they will pay some UK tax they will not be fully taxed in the UK on their interests overseas.A "non-dom" is someone who is resident in the UK but not domiciled in the UK for tax purposes - although they will pay some UK tax they will not be fully taxed in the UK on their interests overseas.
'Not a condition'
It had been suggested that when William Hague proposed him for a peerage in 2000 the then Michael Ashcroft had given assurances that he would be resident in Britain for tax purposes.It had been suggested that when William Hague proposed him for a peerage in 2000 the then Michael Ashcroft had given assurances that he would be resident in Britain for tax purposes.
But in his statement Lord Ashcroft said his undertaking was to "take up permanent residence in the UK again" by the end of that year and to resign as Belize's permanent representative to the UN.But in his statement Lord Ashcroft said his undertaking was to "take up permanent residence in the UK again" by the end of that year and to resign as Belize's permanent representative to the UN.
'Not a condition'
He said he had fulfilled both those conditions before taking up his peerage and had declared all his UK income to HM Revenue "throughout the last ten years".He said he had fulfilled both those conditions before taking up his peerage and had declared all his UK income to HM Revenue "throughout the last ten years".
It is clear, therefore, that Lord Ashcroft has the same status as several Labour donors Conservative Party spokesman Q&A: MPs, peers and taxes
Lord Ashcroft has donated millions of pounds to the Conservatives in recent years, much of which has been spent on campaigns by Tory candidates in marginal seats.Lord Ashcroft has donated millions of pounds to the Conservatives in recent years, much of which has been spent on campaigns by Tory candidates in marginal seats.
He, and senior Conservative Party spokesmen, have refused to say what his tax status was over recent years, saying it was a private matter.He, and senior Conservative Party spokesmen, have refused to say what his tax status was over recent years, saying it was a private matter.
In a statement released on Monday, he said he had chosen to speak out because "while I value my privacy, I do not want my affairs to distract from the general election campaign".In a statement released on Monday, he said he had chosen to speak out because "while I value my privacy, I do not want my affairs to distract from the general election campaign".
He said that while his "precise tax status" was that of a "non-dom", paying tax in the UK was not, as some critics have suggested, a condition of his being granted a peerage in 2000.He said that while his "precise tax status" was that of a "non-dom", paying tax in the UK was not, as some critics have suggested, a condition of his being granted a peerage in 2000.
"As for the future, while the non-dom status will continue for many people in business or public life, David Cameron has said that anyone sitting in the legislature - Lords or Commons - must be treated as resident and domiciled in the UK for tax purposes," he said."As for the future, while the non-dom status will continue for many people in business or public life, David Cameron has said that anyone sitting in the legislature - Lords or Commons - must be treated as resident and domiciled in the UK for tax purposes," he said.
"I agree with this change and expect to be sitting in the House of Lords for many years to come.""I agree with this change and expect to be sitting in the House of Lords for many years to come."
Mr Cameron had been under considerable pressure to reveal Lord Ashcroft's tax status, but had always insisted it was a private matter for the peer.
Welcoming Lord Ashcroft's statement on Monday, a Conservative Party spokesman said: "It is clear, therefore, that Lord Ashcroft has the same status as several Labour donors including Lord Paul - recently appointed to the Privy Council on the recommendation of Gordon Brown's government."