Rishi Sunak
(Picture: AFP via Getty Images)With his party chairman Nadhim Zahawi embroiled in a tax scandal, we wonder when the Prime Minister’s own tax returns might be released. When he ran for the Tory leadership last summer, Rishi Sunak made a commitment to publish them if he won.
Despite losing the race to Liz Truss, he soon ended up in Downing Street. Since becoming PM, he has reaffirmed the pledge. In November, he said he hoped to disclose his tax affairs by Christmas and gave a hard deadline of one year from taking office.
It is not customary for British prime ministers to release their tax returns. David Cameron did so after his father was named in the Panama Papers, a massive information leak on tax haven funds. Tax became an issue for Mr Sunak after his wife, an Indian national, was revealed to have once enjoyed non-dom status in the UK.
Margot, with a subtle twist
Aussie actor Margot Robbie is a hot name in Hollywood. Her pet name, not so much. “Maggot has been my nickname since I was six years old,” she says. “I think a substitute teacher read my name out loud wrongly. Everyone laughed. You wish it was one of those things that would go away by lunchtime but here it is.” On a possibly related note, she names crying on cue as a skill. “I just think of something sad and cry. I can control the tears out of one eye.” Some wounds never heal.
Old Etonians start crypto society
Eton College is six centuries old but its alumni happily embrace modernity. In its latest issue, the school’s magazine for former students plugged the Old Etonian Blockchain Association, which recently held an inaugural drinks reception in Soho. Turnout was “very encouraging, signifying a large appetite for knowledge of blockchain”. Blockchain is a system that supports cryptocurrencies.
Black and Asian radio shows rescued
After a months-long campaign by celebrities and politicians, BBC bosses have backtracked on plans to slim down black and Asian radio programming. The Beeb says it has “listened carefully to the feedback”. A statement reveals the number of stations featuring such programming will now increase from 20 to 33. DJ Ed Adoo, who led the campaign, is pleased and says the BBC should “truly invest” in the saved shows.
Elvis has entred the building
Line of Duty actor Adrian Dunbar was kickin’ it in Covent Garden on Friday night as he performed an impromptu Elvis set at the QT jazz bar. Over the weekend the force was strong with former Spice Girl Geri Halliwell at her son Monty’s birthday party. And a troupe of British socialites, among them Pixie Lott, Pixie Geldof and Tigerlily Taylor, pitched up in Marrakech for the opening of the Nobu Hotel. Nice to be away with the pixies.
