Boris Johnson: 'I make no apology at all' over Sir James Dyson 'tax issue' texts

21 April 2021, 10:04 | Updated: 21 April 2021, 13:52

Sir Keir Starmer grills PM over texts with Sir James Dyson on tax

Boris Johnson made "absolutely no apology at all" for text messages between him and Sir James Dyson about the tax status of the businessman's employees, amid claims of "sleaze and cronyism" in the Government.

It comes after the prime minister personally promised Sir James he would "fix" the tax issue after he was directly lobbied by the entrepreneur.

Speaking during Prime Minister's Questions, Mr Johnson said he was "happy to share all the details" of the exchanges as there was "nothing to conceal".

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer suggested it was "one rule for those that have got the Prime Minister's phone number, another for everybody else".

A series of text messages between the two men were revealed on Wednesday, in which Sir James contacted the PM after he was unable to get the assurances he was seeking from the Treasury.

The exchanges took place in March last year at the start of the pandemic when the Government was appealing to firms to supply ventilators amid fears the NHS could run out.

The Government said it was right to secure equipment for the NHS in "extraordinary times" while Sir James said it was "absurd to suggest that his firm was doing anything other than seeking to comply with Treasury rules".

Labour, however, described the disclosures as "jaw-dropping" and said Mr Johnson must now agree to a full, independent inquiry into lobbying.

Sir James, whose firm is now based in Singapore, wrote to the Treasury asking for an assurance that his staff would not have to pay additional tax if they came to the UK to work on the project.

However, when he failed to receive a reply, he took up the matter directly with the Prime Minister.

He said in a text, seen by the BBC, that the firm was ready but that "sadly" it seemed no-one wanted them to proceed.

Mr Johnson replied: "I will fix it tomo! We need you. It looks fantastic."

Boris Johnson's government accused of cronyism

The Prime Minister then texted him again saying: "(Chancellor) Rishi (Sunak) says it is fixed!! We need you here."

When Sir James then sought a further assurance, Mr Johnson replied: "James, I am First Lord of the Treasury and you can take it that we are backing you to do what you need."

Two weeks later, Mr Sunak told the Commons Treasury Committee that the tax status of people who came to the UK to provide specific help during the pandemic would not be affected.

A Government spokesman said it was right to take action in "extraordinary times" to ensure the NHS had the equipment it needed.

"At the height of the pandemic, there were genuine fears that we would quickly run out of ventilators, leaving the NHS unable to treat patients and putting many lives at risk," the spokesman said.

"As the public would expect, we did everything we could in extraordinary times to protect our citizens and get access to the right medical equipment."

Under the ministerial code, ministers are supposed to have an official present when discussing government business and to report back to their department as quickly as possible if a conversation does take place where that is not possible.

Sir James said he was "hugely proud" of his firm's response in "the midst of a national emergency", and that he would "do the same again if asked".

He said: "When the Prime Minister rang me to ask Dyson to urgently build ventilators, of course I said yes.

"Our ventilator cost Dyson £20 million, freely given to the national cause, and it is absurd to suggest that the urgent correspondence was anything other than seeking compliance with rules, as 450 Dyson people - in UK and Singapore - worked around the clock, seven days a week to build potentially life-saving equipment at a time of dire need.

Matt Hancock: More people on ventilators than at any time during the pandemic

"Mercifully, they were not required as medical understanding of the virus evolved. Neither Weybourne (Dyson's holding company) nor Dyson received any benefit from the project; indeed commercial projects were delayed, and Dyson voluntarily covered the £20 million of development costs."

Sir James also said his company had not claimed "one penny" from governments in any jurisdiction in relation to Covid.

Boris Johnson made "absolutely no apology at all" during PMQs for the text messages exchanges.

He said: "I make absolutely no apology at all for shifting heaven and earth and doing everything I possibly could, as I think any prime minister would in those circumstances, to secure ventilators for the people of this country."

SNP Westminster leader Ian Blackford called on Mr Johnson to reveal "how many more Covid contracts he personally fixed" and publish all personal exchanges on these contracts.

The Prime Minister said: "There's absolutely nothing to conceal about this and I am happy to share all the details with the House, as indeed I have shared them with my officials immediately."

Rachel Reeves condemns David Cameron's 'sleazy' Greensill lobbying

The report comes amid intensive controversy at Westminster over lobbying following the disclosures of David Cameron's activities on behalf of the failed finance firm, Greensill Capital.

In response, Mr Johnson ordered a review by senior lawyer Nigel Boardman.

A Labour Party spokesman said: "These are jaw-dropping revelations. Boris Johnson is now front and centre of the biggest lobbying scandal in a generation, and Tory sleaze has reached the heart of Downing Street.

"The Prime Minister appears to have used the power of his office to personally hand public money to a billionaire friend in the form of tax breaks. If true, it is clearer than ever there is one rule for the Conservatives and their friends, another for everyone else.

"The stench of sleaze has been building up around this Conservative Government for months. Boris Johnson must now agree to a full, transparent and independent inquiry into lobbying - and end the scandal of Conservative politicians abusing taxpayer money."