Ethics probe clears UK Treasury chief over wife's tax status

A British government ethics advisor has cleared Treasury chief Rishi Sunak of wrongdoing over his wife’s tax affairs and his possession of a U.S. permanent resident’s card

LONDON -- A British government ethics advisor on Wednesday cleared Treasury chief Rishi Sunak of wrongdoing over his wife’s tax affairs and his possession of a U.S. permanent resident’s card.

Sunak asked Christopher Geidt to investigate potential ministerial conduct breaches after revelations that Akshata Murty, Sunak’s wife, did not pay U.K. tax on overseas income and that Sunak held a green card, which requires bearers to file U.S. tax returns. Sunak gave up his green card last year, two years after being appointed chancellor of the Exchequer.

There were no allegations of lawbreaking, but critics said the arrangements were inappropriate for the official in charge of taxation and the economy at a time when Britain is facing a cost-of-living crisis fueled by soaring energy prices.

Geidt, the adviser on ministers’ interests, found two instances where Murty’s tax status “could have given rise to a conflict of interest” for Sunak, but said in both cases Sunak had dealt with them properly and openly. He also concluded that there was no “inherent conflict of interest” in Sunak holding a green card.