Rishi Sunak hints at why he’s not sacking Nadhim Zahawi when
he says it would be “politically expedient” to have “resolved” the issue by
noon today.
That would’ve given him a simple answer to deliver at PMQs, and
arguably made this easier for him. Instead, the prime minister is hoping that
he can make a point of principle by saying he believes in due process, not
“political opportunism".
Post update
Starmer says Sunak avoided his question and recalls what the PM
said about Nadhim Zahawi’s tax affairs this time last week – that the matter
had been addressed "in full".
Now, Starmer says, there is a cause for an investigation. He asks the PM: What has changed in the last seven days?
Post update
BBCCopyright: BBC
Sunak addresses the issue of Nadhim Zahawi's taxes after Starmer's question and says he is "pleased to make my position on this matter completely clear to the House".
He says "the issues in question took place before I was prime minister" and that the "usual appointments process was followed" and no issues were raised with him about Zahawi.
He says he has asked the independent ethics adviser to "look into the matter". He says it is "right that we fully investigate this matter and look at all the facts".
This answer causes lots of jeering and disapproving noises from opposition benches.
A reminder: it's emerged that Zahawi paid a multi-million pound tax settlement, including a penalty, when he was chancellor last year, and before being appointed Tory chairman by Sunak.
Post update
Ione Wells
Political correspondent
There
are some surprised faces in the House of Commons. Many assumed Keir Starmer
would open his questions by talking about Nadhim Zahawi.
Instead the Labour
leader criticised failures that allowed a man with a history of violence to
murder the law graduate Zara Aleena.
The former director of public prosecution is keen to make “law and order” one of
his key pitches to voters, with the party planning a series of announcements about
tackling crime in the coming months.
Post update
Starmer says in light of Zara's murder, the PM really shouldn't be boasting about protecting women.
Turning to Nadhim Zahawi, he asks if Sunak agrees that any politician who seeks to avoid paying taxes they owe is not fit to be in charge of taxpayers' money.
Post update
BBCCopyright: BBC
Sunak does not answer directly, and responds by saying: "Mr Speaker this was a truly terrible crime and as the chief inspector has found the failings in this case were serious and unacceptable.
"In both cases these failings can be traced to the initial risk assessment. Steps are being taken to address the serious issues raised."
Post update
Starmer continues by saying he spoke with Zara Aleena's family this morning and attacks "underinvestment" in the probation service.
He says Zara's family accuse the government of having "blood on their hands" - does Rishi Sunak accept this?
Post update
Sunak responds by listing the actions being taken - mandatory training, stronger checks and implementing new processes for the swift recall of offenders.
He says this "action we are taking is already making a difference".
Post update
Starmer says the report makes it clear staff vacancies and excessive workloads also contributed to "fatal failings".
Does the PM agree this was not a one-off, but part of systemic issues in the probation service which relate to ministerial responsibilities?
Post update
Sunak responds by saying the murder of Zara Aleena was a terrible crime.
He says immediate steps are being taken to address the "serious issues" raised in the report.
Jordan McSweeney, 29, attacked Zara Aleena in June 2022, nine days after his release on licence from prison.
He had been wrongly assessed as "medium risk" by staff who were under "mounting pressure" at the time, Chief Inspector of Probation Justin Russell found in his report this week.
Post update
BBCCopyright: BBC
Sir Keir Starmer begins by citing a recent report into Jordan McSweeney - the man who murdered Zara Aleena as she walked home from a night out in east London last summer.He says her killer is a violent, racist, women-hating thug not fit to walk the same streets.
The Labour leader asks if Rishi Sunak accepts the findings of the report, which found that opportunities were missed by the probation service that could have prevented the attack.
Before asking the question, Starmer also remembered Jews murdered in the Holocaust, ahead of International Holocaust Remembrance Day.
Pat on the back for Sunak from Raab
Ione Wells
Political correspondent
Deputy Prime Minister Dominic Raab gives the prime
minister a pat on the back as things get going.
Rishi Sunak has got his moral support next to him,
ahead of what’s set to be a challenging PMQs.
Keir Starmer is about to ask his first question.
Watch PMQs live
You can watch Prime Minister's Questions live at the top of this page.
Press the large Play button for BBC News coverage (UK only), or choose House of Commons to watch proceedings direct from Parliament.
PMQs beginning in Commons
Prime
Minister Rishi Sunak is on his feet in the chamber, as today's Prime Minister's
Questions gets under way.
He begins by paying tribute to Britain's Holocaust survivors, saying the government will legislate to build a Holocaust memorial and visitor centre next to parliament.
He adds he held meetings with ministerial colleagues this morning and will continue to do so.
Sunak in position in the Commons
Prime Minister
Rishi Sunak is in the chamber for today's Prime Minister's Questions, which is
due to get under way in the next few minutes.
Sunak will face
questions from Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer, before the floor is opened up to
other MPs.
We'll bring you
live updates and you can also watch the action by clicking the 'play' button at
the top of this page.
Taxing time ahead for Sunak at PMQs
Ione Wells
Political correspondent
This is an uncomfortable session for Rishi Sunak coming up.
This time last week, the prime minister said Nadhim Zahawi had already addressed his tax affairs
“in full”.
That turned out not to be the case, after Zahawi then admitted
over the weekend he had paid a penalty to HMRC.
Downing Street said this was news to the prime minister.
Labour are likely to push hard on what the prime minister
knew and when – and will likely want to turn this into a question about the
prime minister’s own judgment and his commitment to “integrity” that he
promised on the steps of Downing Street when he was elected.
Urgent questions to follow PMQs
After PMQs has finished, keep an eye out for two urgent questions in the Commons.
First up, Labour's shadow foreign secretary David Lammy will ask for a statement on reports “the UK government assisted Wagner Group head Yevgeny Prigozhin in circumventing the UK sanctions regime”.
Then, Alba MP and former Scottish justice secretary Kenny MacAskill will ask for a statement on energy disconnections.
Sunak on his way to PMQs
PA MediaCopyright: PA Media
PM
Rishi Sunak has left Downing Street and is headed to the House of Commons.
He’ll take questions from
MPs at the usual time of 12pm.
We'll be bringing you the
latest updates, but you can also watch the debate live by clicking the play
button at the top of this page from midday.
No Tory consensus on Zahawi's future but pressure growing
Ione Wells
Political correspondent
“Zahawi’s toast”. That’s the view one Conservative mutters
to me.
Others disagree. And the investigation is now in some ways a
shield. Some argue that it’s right they wait to cast their judgement until the
investigation has concluded.
But what’s uncomfortable for Zahawi – and the prime
minister – is that there is a drip, drip of Conservatives now publicly, as well
as privately, feeling like the negative headlines are a distraction.
What else might come up at PMQs?
PA MediaCopyright: PA Media
Other than Nadhim Zahawi's tax affairs, there's plenty of other thorny questions that could be directed at Rishi Sunak during PMQs today.
There is the appointment of Richard Sharp as chairman of the BBC. It has been claimed he was involved in talks about securing a loan for then-PM Boris Johnson. He said he had "simply connected" people and there was no conflict of interest.
The outlook for the economy is also likely to feature. The Times has reported that the Office for Budget Responsibility has told the government it overestimated the
prospects for medium-term growth, and that it intends to revise
down its forecasts. The paper says this will wipe out any scope for manoeuvre of Chancellor Jeremy Hunt in his March budget.
The SNP are pushing for time to debate the UK government's decision to block
the Scottish Gender Recognition Bill. Westminster leader Stephen Flynn may well raise the issue again during his two questions to the PM.
Live Reporting
Edited by Marita Moloney and James FitzGerald
All times stated are UK
Post update
Ione Wells
Political correspondent
Rishi Sunak hints at why he’s not sacking Nadhim Zahawi when he says it would be “politically expedient” to have “resolved” the issue by noon today.
That would’ve given him a simple answer to deliver at PMQs, and arguably made this easier for him. Instead, the prime minister is hoping that he can make a point of principle by saying he believes in due process, not “political opportunism".
Post update
Starmer says Sunak avoided his question and recalls what the PM said about Nadhim Zahawi’s tax affairs this time last week – that the matter had been addressed "in full".
Now, Starmer says, there is a cause for an investigation. He asks the PM: What has changed in the last seven days?
Post update
Sunak addresses the issue of Nadhim Zahawi's taxes after Starmer's question and says he is "pleased to make my position on this matter completely clear to the House".
He says "the issues in question took place before I was prime minister" and that the "usual appointments process was followed" and no issues were raised with him about Zahawi.
He says he has asked the independent ethics adviser to "look into the matter". He says it is "right that we fully investigate this matter and look at all the facts".
This answer causes lots of jeering and disapproving noises from opposition benches.
A reminder: it's emerged that Zahawi paid a multi-million pound tax settlement, including a penalty, when he was chancellor last year, and before being appointed Tory chairman by Sunak.
Post update
Ione Wells
Political correspondent
There are some surprised faces in the House of Commons. Many assumed Keir Starmer would open his questions by talking about Nadhim Zahawi.
Instead the Labour leader criticised failures that allowed a man with a history of violence to murder the law graduate Zara Aleena.
The former director of public prosecution is keen to make “law and order” one of his key pitches to voters, with the party planning a series of announcements about tackling crime in the coming months.
Post update
Starmer says in light of Zara's murder, the PM really shouldn't be boasting about protecting women.
Turning to Nadhim Zahawi, he asks if Sunak agrees that any politician who seeks to avoid paying taxes they owe is not fit to be in charge of taxpayers' money.
Post update
Sunak does not answer directly, and responds by saying: "Mr Speaker this was a truly terrible crime and as the chief inspector has found the failings in this case were serious and unacceptable.
"In both cases these failings can be traced to the initial risk assessment. Steps are being taken to address the serious issues raised."
Post update
Starmer continues by saying he spoke with Zara Aleena's family this morning and attacks "underinvestment" in the probation service.
He says Zara's family accuse the government of having "blood on their hands" - does Rishi Sunak accept this?
Post update
Sunak responds by listing the actions being taken - mandatory training, stronger checks and implementing new processes for the swift recall of offenders.
He says this "action we are taking is already making a difference".
Post update
Starmer says the report makes it clear staff vacancies and excessive workloads also contributed to "fatal failings".
Does the PM agree this was not a one-off, but part of systemic issues in the probation service which relate to ministerial responsibilities?
Post update
Sunak responds by saying the murder of Zara Aleena was a terrible crime.
He says immediate steps are being taken to address the "serious issues" raised in the report.
Jordan McSweeney, 29, attacked Zara Aleena in June 2022, nine days after his release on licence from prison.
He had been wrongly assessed as "medium risk" by staff who were under "mounting pressure" at the time, Chief Inspector of Probation Justin Russell found in his report this week.
Post update
Sir Keir Starmer begins by citing a recent report into Jordan McSweeney - the man who murdered Zara Aleena as she walked home from a night out in east London last summer.He says her killer is a violent, racist, women-hating thug not fit to walk the same streets.
The Labour leader asks if Rishi Sunak accepts the findings of the report, which found that opportunities were missed by the probation service that could have prevented the attack.
Before asking the question, Starmer also remembered Jews murdered in the Holocaust, ahead of International Holocaust Remembrance Day.
Pat on the back for Sunak from Raab
Ione Wells
Political correspondent
Deputy Prime Minister Dominic Raab gives the prime minister a pat on the back as things get going.
Rishi Sunak has got his moral support next to him, ahead of what’s set to be a challenging PMQs.
Keir Starmer is about to ask his first question.
Watch PMQs live
You can watch Prime Minister's Questions live at the top of this page.
Press the large Play button for BBC News coverage (UK only), or choose House of Commons to watch proceedings direct from Parliament.
PMQs beginning in Commons
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is on his feet in the chamber, as today's Prime Minister's Questions gets under way.
He begins by paying tribute to Britain's Holocaust survivors, saying the government will legislate to build a Holocaust memorial and visitor centre next to parliament.
He adds he held meetings with ministerial colleagues this morning and will continue to do so.
Sunak in position in the Commons
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is in the chamber for today's Prime Minister's Questions, which is due to get under way in the next few minutes.
Sunak will face questions from Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer, before the floor is opened up to other MPs.
We'll bring you live updates and you can also watch the action by clicking the 'play' button at the top of this page.
Taxing time ahead for Sunak at PMQs
Ione Wells
Political correspondent
This is an uncomfortable session for Rishi Sunak coming up.
This time last week, the prime minister said Nadhim Zahawi had already addressed his tax affairs “in full”.
That turned out not to be the case, after Zahawi then admitted over the weekend he had paid a penalty to HMRC.
Downing Street said this was news to the prime minister.
Labour are likely to push hard on what the prime minister knew and when – and will likely want to turn this into a question about the prime minister’s own judgment and his commitment to “integrity” that he promised on the steps of Downing Street when he was elected.
Urgent questions to follow PMQs
After PMQs has finished, keep an eye out for two urgent questions in the Commons.
First up, Labour's shadow foreign secretary David Lammy will ask for a statement on reports “the UK government assisted Wagner Group head Yevgeny Prigozhin in circumventing the UK sanctions regime”.
Then, Alba MP and former Scottish justice secretary Kenny MacAskill will ask for a statement on energy disconnections.
Sunak on his way to PMQs
PM Rishi Sunak has left Downing Street and is headed to the House of Commons.
He’ll take questions from MPs at the usual time of 12pm.
We'll be bringing you the latest updates, but you can also watch the debate live by clicking the play button at the top of this page from midday.
No Tory consensus on Zahawi's future but pressure growing
Ione Wells
Political correspondent
“Zahawi’s toast”. That’s the view one Conservative mutters to me.
Others disagree. And the investigation is now in some ways a shield. Some argue that it’s right they wait to cast their judgement until the investigation has concluded.
But what’s uncomfortable for Zahawi – and the prime minister – is that there is a drip, drip of Conservatives now publicly, as well as privately, feeling like the negative headlines are a distraction.
What else might come up at PMQs?
Other than Nadhim Zahawi's tax affairs, there's plenty of other thorny questions that could be directed at Rishi Sunak during PMQs today.
There is the appointment of Richard Sharp as chairman of the BBC. It has been claimed he was involved in talks about securing a loan for then-PM Boris Johnson. He said he had "simply connected" people and there was no conflict of interest.
The outlook for the economy is also likely to feature. The Times has reported that the Office for Budget Responsibility has told the government it overestimated the prospects for medium-term growth, and that it intends to revise down its forecasts. The paper says this will wipe out any scope for manoeuvre of Chancellor Jeremy Hunt in his March budget.
The SNP are pushing for time to debate the UK government's decision to block the Scottish Gender Recognition Bill. Westminster leader Stephen Flynn may well raise the issue again during his two questions to the PM.
And it would be very surprising if the fixed penalty fine issued to Sunak by Lancashire Police last Friday, for taking off his seatbelt to film a social media message, did not come up.