CONSTITUENTS are calling for Nadhim Zahawi to quit as an Stratford MP.
The pleas come after Zahawi, who represents Studley and Alcester, was sacked from the cabinet for a ‘serious breach of the Ministerial Code’ related to his tax affairs at the weekend.
Campaign group Stratford-on-Avon Compass and Stratford Liberal Democrats have both urged Mr Zahawi to resign as MP after he suggested he intended to continue representing the constituency.
The 55-year-old’s sacking as Tory Party Chairman follows an investigation by the Prime Minister’s ethics adviser Sir Laurie Magnus after it emerged Mr Zahawi had paid a seven-figure settlement, including a penalty, to HMRC for tax avoidance.
Sir Laurie found Mr Zahawi had been in breach of the ministerial code on seven occasions by failing to declare his tax affairs and denying media reports he was under investigation by HMRC.
This included not declaring he was being investigated by the tax body when he was appointed chancellor by Boris Johnson.
Stratford-on-Avon Compass is urging Mr Zahawi to resign as MP and, failing that, is calling on all progressives – Labour, Green Party and Lid Dem voters – to unite and oust Mr Zahawi at the next general election.
Vikki Parker, campaign group co-ordinator, said she was a member of Compass as she did not feel represented.
“If he isn’t fit to be the Conservative Party Chair, he isn’t fit to be an MP.
“Nadhim Zahawi is an absentee MP. I feel he does little locally and this tax fiasco is yet another example of the sleaze, corruption and dishonesty that continues to taint the Conservative party.”
Stratford Liberal Democrats are also calling for Mr Zahawi’s resignation.
Spokesperson Manuela Perteghella said: “In his letter to the Prime Minister Mr Zahawi appears to show no contrition and there is no apology to his constituents.
“He states he will be serving as a backbencher MP ‘in the coming years’. The Stratford Conservatives need to make clear: are they backing Mr Zahawi in his aim to be an MP for years to come, or are they going to ask him to resign?”
Mr Zahawi has been MP for Stratford since 2010 and won a majority of 19,972 at the last general election.
In a letter to Prime Minister Rishi Sunak following his sacking, Mr Zahawi said it had been the ‘privilege of his life to serve in successive Governments’ and assured the PM of his support from the backbenches in the continuing years.
Stratford Conservative Association has been approached for comment.
