UK PM Sunak defends appointment of Conservative chair amidst tax probe

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak defended his appointment of Nadhim Zahawi as the chair of the governing Conservative Party. This comes amidst an investigation into a tax case surrounding Zahawi and calls from fellow Conservative lawmakers to resign.

Speaking to parliament on Wednesday, Sunak defended his appointment of Zahawi, saying that there were no issues raised with him during the process. Sunak noted that the issues concerning Zahawi took place before he took office as prime minister. Sunak added that he could not predict the outcome of the ethics investigation into Zahawi but reiterated the importance of fully investigating the issue.

This follows the announcement by Sunak’s office that the prime minister requested his ethics adviser to launch an investigation into the case involving the then-finance minister’s founding of opinion poll firm YouGov in 2000.

Zahawi claimed that his father has a share in the firm to support its launch at the time. However, the United Kingdom’s tax office disputed Zahawi’s claim into the shares owned by his father. Over the weekend, Zahawi said he paid dues and settled the matter with the tax office, saying that he made a “careless and not deliberate” error.

The questions concerning Zahawi have since prompted fellow Conservative lawmakers to call for Zahawi’s resignation in an effort to prevent the government from being hampered by the allegations of sleaze. The issue also comes at a time when Sunak’s deputy prime minister Dominic Raab is also being investigated over the allegations of bullying.

“I think it’s right that there is an independent process when all of these facts are established as facts before any further action is taken and that is proper professionalism and accountability in action,” said Sunak’s spokesperson, adding that the prime minister maintained confidence in Zahawi.

On the same day, Sunak said that there was a window for international partners to ramp up their efforts in supporting Ukraine in the ongoing war. Sunak’s office issued a statement of the prime minister’s call with leaders of the United States, France, Germany, and Italy.

“All the leaders welcomed the strong coordination of military supplies and reflected on the collective international action across the spectrum in support of Ukraine,” said the statement.