Rishi Sunak has attempted to distance himself from the furore around Nadhim Zahawi’s tax affairs, with No 10 unable to say whether the PM was confident no more damaging surprises would emerge.
The prime minister’s press secretary said: “I don’t think any of us can predict what may come up but I think he’s confident now he’s put the right process in place and the independent adviser is looking into it.”
It comes after Keir Starmer today accused Mr Sunak of being “hopelessly weak” for failing to sack Nadhim Zahawi as the two leaders clashed at PMQs over the Tory chairman’s controversial tax settlement with HMRC.
The Labour leader accused Mr Sunak, who this week ordered his ethics adviser to investigate Mr Zahawi’s tax affairs, of “overseeing chaos”, saying it was “fairly obvious” that the former chancellor should step aside.
The prime minister rebuffed Mr Starmer’s questions on the saga, saying it occurred before he was PM. Former chancellor Mr Zahawi did not appear to be present in the Commons as the two leaders met.
