Sunak cleared over non-dom wife's tax affairs and US green card

27 April 2022, 16:34 | Updated: 27 April 2022, 17:30

Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak alongside his wife Akshata Murty.
Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak alongside his wife Akshata Murty. Picture: Alamy

By Sophie Barnett

Rishi Sunak has been cleared by the ministerial sleaze chief after a row erupted over his non-dom wife's tax affairs and his US green card.

The probe was carried out by Lord Geidt, the independent adviser, who reviewed all of the Chancellor's declarations since becoming a minister in 2018.

He has been cleared of breaching the ministerial code after the tax affairs of his family were investigated.

In advice to the Prime Minister, Lord Geidt wrote: "I advise that the requirements of the ministerial code have been adhered to by the Chancellor and that he has been assiduous in meeting his obligations and in engaging with this investigation.

"In reaching these judgments, I am confined to the question of conflicts of interest and the requirements of the ministerial code. My role does not touch on any wider question of the merits of such interests or arrangements."

Mr Sunak had written to Boris Johnson to ask for an investigation into his own affairs after days of criticism over his wife’s non-dom tax status and lack of transparency over their financial affairs.

It emerged earlier this month that Mr Sunak's wife, Akshata Murty, held non-domiciled tax status - exempting her from paying UK tax on overseas earnings.

The Prime Minister agreed to launch the investigation amid intense pressure on Mr Sunak over his family's financial interests.

There had been speculation in Westminster that a Labour-sympathising civil servant or rivals in No 10 could have been behind the leaking of the confidential information.

On Wednesday, Mr Sunak insisted he does not believe allies of Mr Johnson were behind the leaks as he answered questions from users of the Mumsnet internet forum.

He was asked how he can have the "understanding and empathy about what it is like to struggle" by someone who said they "couldn't imagine what it is like to live a life in your very privileged financial position".

Mr Sunak said he hoped people "can judge me on my actions", as he accepted he was in a "fortunate position" but stressed his family history of emigrating to the UK "with very little".

During the political storm, Ms Murty, who is an Indian citizen and is estimated to be worth hundreds of millions of pounds, agreed to pay UK taxes on all her worldwide income.

She is reported to hold a 0.91% stake in Infosys and has received £11.6 million in dividends from the Indian firm in the past year.

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

An employee pours a pint of Peroni beer on at the bar.

Major brewer that runs hundreds of pubs to hike beer prices, as boss blames Rachel Reeves

Nicholas Prosper killed his mother, brother and sister with a shotgun bought with a fake gun licence

Chilling moment Nicholas Prosper moans 'it's not murder' on arrest for killing his family, as he's jailed for 48 years

Smoke rises following an Israeli bombardment in the Gaza Strip, as seen from southern Israel, Wednesday, March 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Ariel Schalit)

UN says two workers killed in Israel strikes on Gaza, as Starmer says he's 'deeply concerned' by end of ceasefire

US President Donald Trump and Elon Musk (R) speak before departing the White House.

Elon Musk claims 'people want to kill me and hurt Tesla' over billionaire's job for Donald Trump

Nicholas Prosper spent more than a year planning to kill his family and carry out a mass shooting at his former primary school.

Teen who killed family and planned mass shooting spent a year plotting attack and 'obsessing over school massacres'

Nicholas Prosper killed his mother, brother and sister with a shotgun bought with a fake gun licence

Teen who murdered his family and planned school massacre jailed for life with minimum of 48 years

Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore spent nine months in space

The ravaging effects of space on the human body revealed as astronauts touch down after 286 days

Migrants attempting to cross the English Channel

Migrant dies in Channel after dinghy capsizes while trying to reach UK

A P-8A Poseidon aircraft followed the Russian convoy along the British coast.

RAF spy plane buzzes Russian convoy loaded with weapons in Channel ahead of crucial peace talks in London

Most lower back pain treatment doesn't really work, a new study has found

Most lower back pain treatment is ineffective, researchers find

File photo of NHS ambulance staff

Three dead after listeria outbreak as authorities investigate link to NHS hospital

Kennedys Riding in Dallas Motorcade. minutes later he was assassinated

Lee Harvey Oswald was a 'poor shot' KGB claimed: Bombshell revelations from CIA's newly released JFK files

Sir Philip Green's Arcadia Group Faces Collapse

'We missed you too': Retail giant Topshop hints at return to high street

Zelenskyy has accused Putin of lying

Zelenskyy accuses Putin of lying after hospital bombing, with Ukrainian president to speak to Trump on Wednesday

Bulgarian club Arda Kardzhali apologises after holding a minute's silence for player who is still alive

Football club apologises after minute's silence for player - before discovering he's still alive

Part of the roofs on McGregor Road collapsed last night

Notting Hill horror as roofs collapse in affluent west London neighbourhood, with residents evacuated