Get all your news in one place.
100's of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
National
Kevin Rawlinson and Caroline Davies

National archives: Barclay brothers lobbied Labour to scrap inheritance tax

Sir Frederick and Sir David Barclay
Sir Frederick (left) and Sir David Barclay pictured in 1999. Sir David died in 2021. Photograph: James Fraser/Rex/Shutterstock

The reclusive super-rich twins Sir David and Sir Frederick Barclay, who became notorious for their use of tax havens to manage their vast business empire, lobbied the Labour government to abolish inheritance tax altogether, Cabinet Office papers reveal.

Sir David and Sir Frederick, as well as the latter’s son Aidan Barclay, were present at a 1999 meeting with Tony Blair, then serving his first term as prime minister, the files show.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100's of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.