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BBC exposé leads to resignation of GAAR panel member

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David Heaton, tax partner at Baker Tilly, has resigned from his unpaid role on the government’s GAAR advisory panel after being secretly filmed giving tips on ‘how to keep money out of the chancellor’s grubby mitts’ at the ‘101 ideas for personal tax planning’ conference in London.

David Heaton, tax partner at Baker Tilly, has resigned from his unpaid role on the government’s GAAR advisory panel after being secretly filmed giving tips on ‘how to keep money out of the chancellor’s grubby mitts’ at the ‘101 ideas for personal tax planning’ conference in London. The footage was aired on Monday on BBC’s Panorama, produced in conjunction with Private Eye. Heaton denied wrongdoing, explaining he frequently used irreverent language to make his presentations more interesting, but nonetheless resigned from the panel. Exchequer Secretary, David Gauke MP said: ‘Mr Heaton’s statements are directly at odds with the government’s approach to tackling tax avoidance, therefore it is right that he resigns from his position.’ Margaret Hodge MP was said to be ‘shocked’ by Mr Heaton’s comments.

Specialist tax counsel Jolyon Maugham has joined Devereux Chambers from 11 New Square. Jolyon has a predominantly litigation-based practice in the fields of direct and indirect tax. He has particular expertise in employment taxation, ‘scheme’ transactions, intangible property, legitimate expectation, abuse of rights and film financing.

The Institute of Directors has appointed Stephen Herring, former tax partner at BDO, as its head of taxation policy.

Issue: 1185
Categories: News , David Heaton , GAAR
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