Chancellor Zahawi’s lawyers have requested that Dan Neidle, founder of Tax Policy Associates and former head of tax at Clifford Chance, ‘reconsider the false accusation of dishonesty’ made over Zahawi’s tax arrangements concerning the sale of shares in YouGov, which Zahawi had co-founded.
Although the correspondence said it was not a threat to sue for libel (and Neidle had expressly refused to accept ‘without prejudice’ correspondence), Neidle was sent further correspondence on an ‘open but confidential basis’ that was labelled ‘not for publication’, which Neidle says was designed to intimidate him. The letter, which Neidle published, states that Zahawi ‘does not want to get involved in a debate about semantics and historical tax matters when he has an important job to do.’ It stated that Zahawi would respond to any questions HMRC had, and asked that in future Neidle put any questions to Zahawi’s press officer in advance of publication giving him reasonable time to respond.
Neidle has also written to the SRA calling for it to update its guidance on ‘SLAPP’ (strategic lawsuits against public participation).
Chancellor Zahawi’s lawyers have requested that Dan Neidle, founder of Tax Policy Associates and former head of tax at Clifford Chance, ‘reconsider the false accusation of dishonesty’ made over Zahawi’s tax arrangements concerning the sale of shares in YouGov, which Zahawi had co-founded.
Although the correspondence said it was not a threat to sue for libel (and Neidle had expressly refused to accept ‘without prejudice’ correspondence), Neidle was sent further correspondence on an ‘open but confidential basis’ that was labelled ‘not for publication’, which Neidle says was designed to intimidate him. The letter, which Neidle published, states that Zahawi ‘does not want to get involved in a debate about semantics and historical tax matters when he has an important job to do.’ It stated that Zahawi would respond to any questions HMRC had, and asked that in future Neidle put any questions to Zahawi’s press officer in advance of publication giving him reasonable time to respond.
Neidle has also written to the SRA calling for it to update its guidance on ‘SLAPP’ (strategic lawsuits against public participation).
