Anything to declare Mr. Deputy PM?

By Vijay Kumar

The Deputy Prime Minister of England may end up losing his job for not declaring some gifts like boots and belts he received. The Ministerial code requires,

"Gifts received overseas worth more than the normal travellers' allowances should be declared on importation to Customs & Excise who will advise on any duty and tax liability."

HMRC [Revenue & Customs] Rules state that

“no customs duty or tax is payable on gifts received by ministers on visits overseas, where the gifts are retained by the relevant government department. If a minister wishes to retain a gift, then he or she would be liable for any tax or duty, and Customs would advise accordingly.”

Now the allegation against the DPM is that he retained the gifts without telling Customs! The total value of the goods is about six hundred pounds, but in England Ministers are expected to obey the laws.