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04/03/2010
Hague Faces Ashcroft Tax Questions
William Hague only became aware of Tory peer Lord Ashcroft's tax status in the "last few months", he revealed today.
Billionaire Lord Ashcroft agreed with Mr Hague, the former Conservative leader, that he would take up "permanent" UK residency after accepting a peerage.
However, Lord Ashcroft changed arrangements with civil servants ensuring he had 'non-dom' tax status. He confirmed he was 'none domicile' this week.
This means the peer only pays tax on some of his UK earnings, but nothing on his international business interests.
Mr Hague told the BBC today: "Over the last few months I knew and, after that, of course I was very keen to support him in making that position public."
Lord Ashcroft, a substantial donor to David Cameron's Tory party, is considered a "long-term resident" in the UK.
Senior cabinet minister David Miliband has called on Mr Cameron to disclose how long he has known about the peer's tax status, which has been the subject of speculation for almost a decade.
Mr Miliband called for Lord Ashcroft to resign as Tory deputy party chair.
He said "They [the Conservatives] have known that in fact Lord Ashcroft was a non-dom, but they have not seen fit to tell the rest of us.
"We need to know whether or not David Cameron knew and, if he did, why he didn't relay this critical fact... to the rest of us."
Meanwhile, the peer has been cleared over donations to the Opposition party from one of his companies.
The Electoral Commission ruled the £5.1m of donations from Bearwood Corporate Services were "legal and permissible".
(PR/BMcc)
Billionaire Lord Ashcroft agreed with Mr Hague, the former Conservative leader, that he would take up "permanent" UK residency after accepting a peerage.
However, Lord Ashcroft changed arrangements with civil servants ensuring he had 'non-dom' tax status. He confirmed he was 'none domicile' this week.
This means the peer only pays tax on some of his UK earnings, but nothing on his international business interests.
Mr Hague told the BBC today: "Over the last few months I knew and, after that, of course I was very keen to support him in making that position public."
Lord Ashcroft, a substantial donor to David Cameron's Tory party, is considered a "long-term resident" in the UK.
Senior cabinet minister David Miliband has called on Mr Cameron to disclose how long he has known about the peer's tax status, which has been the subject of speculation for almost a decade.
Mr Miliband called for Lord Ashcroft to resign as Tory deputy party chair.
He said "They [the Conservatives] have known that in fact Lord Ashcroft was a non-dom, but they have not seen fit to tell the rest of us.
"We need to know whether or not David Cameron knew and, if he did, why he didn't relay this critical fact... to the rest of us."
Meanwhile, the peer has been cleared over donations to the Opposition party from one of his companies.
The Electoral Commission ruled the £5.1m of donations from Bearwood Corporate Services were "legal and permissible".
(PR/BMcc)
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01 March 2010
Tory Admits Donor 'Non-Dom' Tax Status
Tory peer Lord Ashcroft has admitted he has "non-domiciled" tax status in the UK. The Conservative donor and deputy party chairman's financial arrangements have been the subject of speculation for some time. Lord Ashcroft said he backed Tory leader David Cameron's call for all peers to be "resident and domiciled".
Tory Admits Donor 'Non-Dom' Tax Status
Tory peer Lord Ashcroft has admitted he has "non-domiciled" tax status in the UK. The Conservative donor and deputy party chairman's financial arrangements have been the subject of speculation for some time. Lord Ashcroft said he backed Tory leader David Cameron's call for all peers to be "resident and domiciled".
02 March 2010
Ashcroft 'Saved' £127m In UK Taxes
Liberal Democrats have accused 'non-dom' Tory peer Lord Ashcroft of saving more than £127m in British tax since he became a member of the House of Lords. Lib Dem researchers said Lord Ashcroft’s annual tax saving is conservatively estimated to be £12.76m. The deputy Conservative Party chair has been a member of the House of Lords for a decade.
Ashcroft 'Saved' £127m In UK Taxes
Liberal Democrats have accused 'non-dom' Tory peer Lord Ashcroft of saving more than £127m in British tax since he became a member of the House of Lords. Lib Dem researchers said Lord Ashcroft’s annual tax saving is conservatively estimated to be £12.76m. The deputy Conservative Party chair has been a member of the House of Lords for a decade.
09 March 2010
Labour Lord To 'Give Up' Non-Dom Status
Lord Paul - a top Labour donor - will renounce his non domicile tax status in April, he said today. The peer said his 'non-dom' UK residency will end in the new tax year. The move follows revelations over billionaire Tory deputy chair Lord Ashcroft.
Labour Lord To 'Give Up' Non-Dom Status
Lord Paul - a top Labour donor - will renounce his non domicile tax status in April, he said today. The peer said his 'non-dom' UK residency will end in the new tax year. The move follows revelations over billionaire Tory deputy chair Lord Ashcroft.
21 October 2005
Britain celebrates Trafalgar bicentenary
Britain is marking the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Trafalgar with a series of events across the country. More than 6,000 events are planned to take place throughout the UK over the weekend, to mark the Royal Navy victory over the combined Spanish and France fleets on October 21, 1805.
Britain celebrates Trafalgar bicentenary
Britain is marking the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Trafalgar with a series of events across the country. More than 6,000 events are planned to take place throughout the UK over the weekend, to mark the Royal Navy victory over the combined Spanish and France fleets on October 21, 1805.
05 February 2010
Four Charged Over Expenses
Three MPs and one lord are to face criminal charges over their parliamentary expenses, it was confirmed today. Labour parliamentarians Elliot Morley, Jim Devine and David Chaytor will face charges under the Theft Act, as will Tory peer Lord Hanningfield.
Four Charged Over Expenses
Three MPs and one lord are to face criminal charges over their parliamentary expenses, it was confirmed today. Labour parliamentarians Elliot Morley, Jim Devine and David Chaytor will face charges under the Theft Act, as will Tory peer Lord Hanningfield.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A chilly start with a widespread frost and some freezing fog, any freezing fog slow to clear. Otherwise bright with sunny spells and coastal showers. Light winds. Maximum temperature 6 °C.Tonight:Coastal showers dying out with a widespread frost developing along with freezing fog, which could become extensive. Winds remaining light. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
