UK’s deputy PM in ‘cash for honours’ row

Nick Clegg Under Attack As 2 Indian-Origin Donors To His Party Tipped For Honorary Titles

London: Britain’s deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg has been caught in a “cash for honours” row after two Indian-origin multi-millionaires, who are among the biggest donors to his party were lined up for honorary titles. 
    The Liberal Democrats, coalition partners in the Conservative-led government, have recommended Sudhir Choudhrie for a seat in the House of Lords. 
    Choudhrie has personally donated £95,000, while his family companies have given the party at least £6,50,000 pounds since the year 2004. 
    A report in ‘The Sunday Times’ also claims that until a few years ago the businessman was not domiciled in Britain for tax purposes. 
    The 65-year-old now lives in London and sources close to him have told the newspaper that he came onshore two years ago and now pays fulltaxes in the United Kingdom on his worldwide income. 
    The Choudhrie family’s portfolio include C and C Alpha Group, which runs care homes for the elderly and people with learning difficulties and mental illness. 
    However, its ultimate parent company, Harberry Investments, is incorporated in the tax haven of British Virgin Islands. 
    Another multimillionaire, Rumi Verjee, who brought the Domino’s pizza chain to Britain, is top of a list of seven names compiled by the Liberal Democrats who are expected to be awarded honours within weeks. He has given £7,70,000 pounds to the party since May 2010. 
    The disclosure may lead to accusations of hypocrisy against the Lib Dems, who have made crackdowns on tax havens and people who avoid tax a key policy priority. 
    Since 2010, it was made compulsory for the British peers to be full-time residents of the United Kingdom. Several peers have given up their non-domiciled status to retain their seats. 
    Political parties in Britain nominate candidates for the honorary titles. 
    Choudhrie has been on a shortlist of Liberal Democrats peers for months. 
    His name is expected to be recommended to the House of Lords Appointments Commission in the next few weeks. 
    “New appointments to the House of Lords will be made in line with the coalition agreement and will be announced in due course. Appointments from all political parties must pass an independent vetting process,” Clegg’s spokesperson said. PTI

FACING FLAK: Nick Clegg and his Liberal Democrats party face accusations of hypocrisy after making crackdowns on tax havens and people who avoid tax a key policy priority