MP hits back following tax return row

The Leader of the Opposition, Jeremy Corbyn, this week found himself at the centre of a spat over his tax affairs.

Ahead of the Budget, the Labour leader had chosen to publish his tax return – arguing that senior politicians should be willing to subject their financial affairs to appropriate scrutiny.

But questions were raised after the return released to the media did not appear to show his earnings as Leader of the Opposition alongside the salary he received as an MP.

Aides subsequently made clear that the £27,192 allowance was incorporated into the section headed pension and benefits income.

The confusion led to a number of critical reports in the press, with some papers going as far as to suggest that the politician may not have paid the correct amount.

Following the controversy, a spokesman for Mr Corbyn said: “Jeremy’s tax return is complete and accurate. He has declared all income and paid the appropriate amount of tax.

“We are disappointed the Cabinet Office did not clarify this and explain the figure used on the P60 yesterday in answer to media enquiries they received.

“It is also a matter of concern that some media organisations made entirely false claims without verifying or confirming the facts, and we expect these now to be corrected.”

The Chancellor, Philip Hammond, had come under pressure to publish his own paperwork, but ultimately declined to follow Mr Corbyn’s example, suggesting it amounted to “demonstration politics.”

“I have no intention of doing so,” Mr Hammond told the BBC’s Andrew Marr Show, when asked if he would be prepared to make details public. “Just for the record my tax affairs are all perfectly regular and up-to-date.”