UK Chancellor Rishi Sunak has asked Prime Minister Boris Johnson to refer his ministerial declarations to an independent adviser.
It comes after a wave of backlash hit Sunak – over issues including his wife Akshata Murty claiming non-domiciled status, questions over his own tax payments and his decision to declare himself a “permanent resident of the US” while Chancellor having had a green card.
Sunak wrote on Twitter: “Today I have written to the Prime Minister asking him to refer my ministerial declarations to the Independent Adviser on Ministers’ Interests. I have always followed the rules and I hope such a review will provide further clarity.”
READ MORE: Rishi Sunak has been defensive, aggressive and consistently dishonest
The Independent Adviser on Ministers’ Interests is appointed by the Prime Minister and offers impartial advice on the ministerial code.
The current holder of the post is Lord Geidt, a former private secretary to the Queen, who also investigated the funding of the refurbishment of Johnson’s Downing Street flat.
In his letter to the Prime Minister, Sunak said: “Given the recent speculation surrounding my declarations I would like to ask the Independent Adviser on Ministers’ Interests to review the various declarations of interest that I have made since first being appointed as a Minister, and to reach his own judgment as to whether all my interests were properly declared.
“My overriding concern is that the public retain confidence in the answers they are given and I believe the best way of achieving this is to ensure those answers are entirely independent, without bias or favour.
“To that end I would recommend that Lord Geidt makes all his conclusions public.
READ MORE: Moving vans pictured leaving Downing Street as pressure grows on scandal-hit Sunak
“I am confident that such a review of my declarations will find all relevant information was appropriately declared. I have throughout my ministerial career followed the advice of officials regarding matters of propriety and disclosure and will continue to do so.
“I look forward to working with Lord Geidt’s office throughout such a review and providing all relevant information as necessary.”
Sunak was named as the beneficiary of tax haven trusts in the British Virgin Islands and Cayman Islands set up in order to manage the tax affairs of Murty, according to a report in The Independent.
It has also emerged this week Sunak was the holder of a US Green Card until last year – while he was serving as the second most powerful minister in the Cabinet.
Murty potentially saved £2.1m a year in UK tax through her non-dom status, according to analysis by the BBC.
Sunak’s family were pictured this weekend moving out of Downing Street after an embarrassing string of revelations about the Chancellor and his wife.
Removal vans were seen leaving the guarded Westminster street.
Though his wife's non-dom arrangements were completely legal and she has said she will now pay tax on her non-UK income, the scandal has led to calls for Sunak’s resignation, which he has reportedly considered.
He will remain in 11 Downing Street during the week for work and will join his family in their plush West London homee, close to where his daughter goes to school.
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