Cameron Faces Tax Probe Over Undisclosed Greensill Flights
HMRC is probing whether former Prime Minister David Cameron failed to declare taxable perks from his work lobbying for the collapsed finance firm Greensill Capital. According to the Guardian, officials are scrutinising private flights laid on for Cameron, specifically jets to and from his holiday homes.
As part of his lucrative Greensill role, Cameron allegedly enjoyed multiple taxpayer-funded flights aboard company planes. Destinations included Cornwall, where the ex-PM owns a £2 million holiday home, and Oxfordshire, a short drive from his primary residence.
Such free flights should have been logged as a taxable “benefit-in-kind.” But Cameron may not have paid the required taxes. If proven, he could face a major bill for unpaid income tax and National Insurance.
The probe comes amid concerns Cameron’s appointment to cabinet was rushed to conceal Sunak’s reshuffle plans. Vetters allegedly believe Cameron would fail standard Foreign Office security checks due to his post-premiership work in China.
Yet despite lingering scandals, the ex-PM secured a life peerage last week. It represents a remarkable comeback for Cameron after the Greensill debacle saw him flouting lobbying rules in texting pleas to ministers.
Cameron reaped immense personal wealth serving the now-bust Greensill, which charged eye-watering interest rates and made highly risky loans. He further sullied his legacy in the process.
The former Conservative leader maintains he’s paid all relevant taxes in full. But the existence of an HMRC investigation implies Cameron’s Greensill tax arrangements require urgent clarification.
Once again, privilege shields Cameron from proportionate consequences. While taxpayers foot the bill for his indiscretions, the establishment ushers him back into the folds of power. Still, if found guilty of financial impropriety, Cameron may struggle to avoid yet another reckoning.
