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Nadhim Zahawi, the chairman of the Conservative Party and a minister without portfolio, has been fired by British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak for violating the "code" of proper conduct for ministers in the controversy surrounding his tax return.
The leader of the Conservative Government notes in a letter to Zahawi, which was disclosed on Sunday, that "it is evident that there was a grave violation of the ministerial code."
In Sunak's letter, he added, "When I became prime minister last year, I promised that my government would have integrity, professionalism, and responsibility at all levels." He went on to explain that he had asked Laurie Magnus, an impartial adviser on ministers' ethical conduct, to look into the situation.
It is evident that there has been a severe violation of the Ministerial Code following the conclusion of the Independent Adviser's investigation, the results of which he disclosed with us both. I have thus informed you that I have decided to have you removed from your position in His Majesty's Government.
A few days ago, Zahawi admitted to paying a fine to the British Treasury after discovering an error in the payment of taxes that he termed as "unintentional," which sparked the issue. The advisor claims that when Zahawi was named chairman of the Conservative Party and minister without portfolio last year, he failed to disclose important information on the fine to the Treasury.
The publication "The Guardian" recently made known that Zahawi had reached an agreement with the Treasury to pay an unpaid debt with a surcharge of 30%, for which he paid a total of 4.8 million pounds.
Zahawi, who served as finance minister the previous year, claimed that the surcharge was connected to the research company YouGov, which he started in 2000. Following the controversy, the Labor Party, the first member of the British opposition, demanded Zahawi's resignation.
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