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Ex-Labour chief was questioned by HMRC after receiving £140,000 in payments from trade union

  • Ian Lavery said tax affairs were up to date with no further assessment needed 
  • But tax lawyer Dan Neidle said Mr Lavery still had more questions to answer 

A former Labour chairman was questioned by the taxman after receiving almost £140,000 from his trade union, it was claimed.

Ian Lavery, a close ally of Jeremy Corbyn, insisted his tax affairs were up to date and said HMRC had found there was ‘no further assessment necessary’.

The Wansbeck MP, who was president of the Northumberland National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) union, admitted he had been subject of an HMRC inquiry, but said ‘no additional payments were requested or penalties applied’.

But yesterday the tax lawyer credited with bringing down former chancellor Nadhim Zahaw over a multi-million pound tax bill, said Mr Lavery still had questions to answer.

Dan Neidle, a former head of tax at a leading law firm, said: ‘I fear that, like Mr Zahawi, Mr Lavery has decided the best response to people asking legitimate questions about his tax affairs is to provide bland statements that all tax has been properly paid, ignore the specific questions being asked, and hope it all goes away.’

The i paper, which broke the story last night, reported that the ex-miner had declined to answer repeated questions on whether he had fully declared payments from his former employer – the NUM – to HMRC.

The questions concern a £72,500 loan handed to Mr Lavery, pictured, by the union to buy a property, which was later written off.

It was claimed he also received termination payments of £60,600 without tax from the NUM branch he had led for eight years. 

After an overpayment of £30,600 was found, Mr Lavery paid £15,000 back – but not the remaining £15,600 – meaning he retained £45,600. 

Mr Lavery was repeatedly contacted for comment by the Mail but did not respond.

 He told the i: ‘All taxes are and were always paid in line with HMRC requirements by myself and my previous employer.’

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