UK premier orders ethics probe into party chair's tax issue

LONDON

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said on Monday that he has asked his independent ethics adviser to look into the case of Tory Party's chair Nadhim Zahawi.

"Clearly in this case there are questions that need answering," Rishi Sunak told reporters during a visit to a hospital in Northamptonshire, BBC reported.

Zahawi has been facing calls to resign for some time, after it emerged that he paid a penalty to HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) over unpaid tax while he was chancellor, as part of a multi-million pound dispute.

"That’s why I’ve asked our independent adviser to get to the bottom of everything, to investigate the matter fully and establish all the facts and provide advice to me on Nadhim Zahawi’s compliance with the ministerial code," said Sunak.

He also added that Zahawi will remain Conservative Party chairman during the investigation and had agreed to fully cooperate.