Under-fire Nadhim Zahawi racked up £1,000 limousine bill in one day at Cop26
Under-fire Tory chairman Nadhim Zahawi racked up a £1,040 limousine bill on a single day, while lecturing Britain about Climate Change.
Mr Zahawi made headlines this week for finally settling his mammoth tax bill following a row with HMRC.
But in December 2021 he charged an enormous bill to the taxpayer for chauffeur-driven limos to ferry him around Glasgow.
Then Education Secretary, Mr Zahawi was visiting Scotland for the COP26 conference and gave a speech pledging to put climate change “at the heart of education”.
The same day, he visited the conference floor and was snapped meeting with Tory-supporting outdoorsman Bear Grylls.
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Schools minister Nick Gibb confirmed the payment was made on a government procurement card to limo firm TBR Global Chauffeuring, and charged to the Department for Education.
In reply to a Parliamentary Question from Labour ’s Emily Thornberry, he said the firm “provided transfer services between events within Glasgow when the former Secretary of State attended COP26.”
Mr Zahawhi during his one-day visit to Cop26TBR offers a range of luxury vehicles made by Mercedes and Range Rover, none of which are electric.
Speaking at the conference, Mr Zahawi said: “We want to deliver a better, safer, greener world for future generations of young people and education is one of our key weapons in the fight against climate change.”
A Department for Education spokesperson said: “The Department used the security-cleared transport company that was recommended by the COP26 Unit, to cater for his programme and the security requirements of the venue, which were high given the plethora of world leaders in attendance as Britain led the world in the fight against climate change.”
He took the opportunity to hang out with Tory-backing outdoorsman Bear GryllsThe Tory chairman today admitted to 'careless' error as he broke his silence on the row over a multimillion-pound tax settlement.
Rishi Sunak has been under pressure to sack the former Chancellor since it was reported that he paid HM Revenue & Customs a seven-figure sum to end a dispute.
Even deputy Prime Minister Dominic Raab wouldn't say whether Mr Zahawi would still have his job in a month.
Asked by Sky News if Mr Zahawi will still be in his post in a month, Mr Raab said: "A month's a long time in politics. I certainly hope so."
Mr Zahawi this morning released a statement to "address some of the confusion about my finances".
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He said: "As a senior politician I know that scrutiny and propriety are important parts of public life. Twenty-two years ago I co-founded a company called YouGov. I'm incredibly proud of what we achieved. It is an amazing business that has employed thousands of people and provides a world-beating service.
"When we set it up, I didn't have the money or the expertise to go it alone. So I asked my father to help. In the process, he took founder shares in the business in exchange for some capital and his invaluable guidance. Twenty one years later, when I was being appointed chancellor of the exchequer, questions were being raised about my tax affairs. I discussed this with the Cabinet Office at the time.
"Following discussions with HMRC, they agreed that my father was entitled to founder shares in YouGov, though they disagreed about the exact allocation. They concluded that this was a 'careless and not deliberate' error.
"So that I could focus on my life as a public servant, I chose to settle the matter and pay what they said was due, which was the right thing to do.
"Additionally, HMRC agreed with my accountants that I have never set up an offshore structure, including Balshore Investments, and that I am not the beneficiary of Balshore Investments. This matter was resolved prior to my appointments as chancellor of the duchy of Lancaster and subsequently chairman of the party I love so much. When I was appointed by the Prime Minister, all my tax affairs were up to date."
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