Zahawi - Sunak must withdraw Conservative Whip 

EMBARGO: Immediate Release

The Liberal Democrats have written to Rishi Sunak calling on him to withdraw the Conservative whip from Nadhim Zahawi.

In a letter to Sunak sent today, Liberal Democrat Deputy Leader Daisy Cooper said that Zahawi has shown he is not fit to represent his constituents, and that if he refuses to resign as an MP then he should have the Conservative whip withdrawn.

It comes after Nadhim Zahawi refused to apologise for failing to come clean about his tax affairs and instead doubled down on an attack against the media.

Liberal Democrat Deputy Leader Daisy Cooper said:

“Nadhim Zahawi failed to pay the taxes he owed, refused to come clean, and then threatened campaigners and journalists with legal action simply for trying to uncover the truth.

“It shows that Zahawi is simply not fit to represent his constituents in Parliament. If he refuses to stand down as an MP, Rishi Sunak surely has no choice but to withdraw the Conservative whip.

“Sunak dragged his feet for weeks over this scandal. He must now act swiftly if he’s serious about restoring integrity to this sleaze-ridden Conservative government.”

ENDS

Notes to Editor

The letter to Rishi Sunak can be found below.

The Rt Hon Rishi Sunak MP,

Prime Minister,

Downing Street,

London,

SW1A 0AA

Dear Prime Minister,

In your first speech as Prime Minister on the steps of Downing Street, you pledged to lead a government with “integrity, professionalism and accountability at every level.” Since then, your premiership has been tarnished with a series of scandals at the very top of government.

Although it took far too long for you to act, it was right that you finally sacked Nadhim Zahawi from Cabinet. Mr Zahawi not only repeatedly breached the Ministerial Code by failing to disclose he was under investigation by HMRC. He also failed to pay the taxes he owed, repeatedly refused to come clean about it, and then threatened campaigners and journalists with legal action simply for trying to uncover the truth. His behaviour was inexcusable and serious questions remain about how it is possible he was appointed to several senior government roles by successive Prime Ministers, including yourself.

Nadhim Zahawi’s response to his sacking showed no contrition or remorse. The public will be staggered that he did not even apologise. It shows he is not only unfit to serve in the Cabinet, but unfit to serve his constituents in Parliament.

If Mr Zahawi refuses to do the right thing and stand down as an MP, I urge you to withdraw the Conservative whip from him. This would send a powerful message that this sort of behaviour is unacceptable, and that you are serious about restoring integrity to this government.

Yours sincerely,

Daisy Cooper

Deputy Leader, Liberal Democrats