Pressure mounts on Stratford-upon-Avon MP Nadhim Zahawi to quit top Tory job
The Warwickshire MP is facing calls to resign following a row over his tax affairs
Labour and SNP are among the opposition parties calling for the Stratford MP to resign from his position as Conservative Party Chairman, over a multi-million slip up in his tax affairs.
What was the tax slip up?
It relates to the transfer of shares of the polling company You Gov during his time as chancellor for Boris Johnson in July 2022.
He said the tax management was "careless and not deliberate", resulting in a fine and settlement with HMRC understood to be worth around £5m.
What does it mean for Rishi Sunak?
The Prime Minister has ordered an investigation led by an independent ethics advisor but said he still has confidence in the former chancellor.
Launching the investigation, the Prime Minister acknowledged "clearly in this case there are questions that need answering".
Mr Sunak said he was not leader at the time of the allegations and insisted the advice he received when he gave Mr Zahawi a senior role was that there was "no reason" not to appoint him.
The investigation could also include claims Mr Zahawi falsely told officials he had not exchanged WhatsApp messages with Conservative former prime minister David Cameron about Government loans for Greensill Capital before it emerged they were deleted.
It is reported that Zahawi has agreed to fully co-operate with the investigation.
Is Zahawi's position "untenable"?
SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon said the Prime Minister is “kicking it into the long grass rather than addressing it."
She said: “I think his position, the former chancellor’s position, is untenable. I think he should resign his current position as chair of the Conservative Party.”
Former Downing Street communications chief Sir Craig Oliver said Mr Zahawi is "hanging on by a thread".
Labour's deputy leader, Angela Rayner said: “Rishi Sunak should get a grip - and dismiss Nadhim Zahawi from his Cabinet immediately.
Comments from opposition parties come as a YouGov found that the majority of the UK public (51%) think he should resign over the scandal.
Liberal Democrat deputy leader Daisy Cooper added: "If Sunak won't do the decent thing and sack Zahawi, the least he can do is suspend him for the duration of the investigation."
Mr Sunak insisted it is "longstanding practice" for Mr Zahawi to continue in the role while under investigation.