Controversy mounts over shutdown of company owned by Rishi Sunak's wife
Labour scrutinizes the closure of Catamaran Ventures UK, a start-up investment firm owned by Akshata Murty, wife of Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. The decision to wind up the company was officially filed in December, with a spokesperson for Ms. Murty confirming that the company's holdings would be transferred to the charity ShareGift. Labour's national campaign co-ordinator, Pat McFadden, has written to Deputy PM Oliver Dowden, seeking clarity on the implications of this closure.
Labour's concerns and queries
Labour has posed significant questions regarding the impact of Catamaran Ventures' closure on government-backed businesses, particularly mentioning Study Hall, an education start-up linked to the company that received substantial government grants. In a letter to Dowden, McFadden seeks details on the arrangement for tax payments to HMRC and whether all liabilities to the British taxpayer will be fulfilled. Emphasizing the need for transparency, McFadden calls for continued proper declaration of the prime minister and his wife's interests in the Register of Ministerial Interests.
Transferring holdings to charity
Amidst these inquiries, a spokesperson for Ms. Murty reassured that Catamaran Venture's holdings would be transferred to ShareGift, a charity specializing in receiving share donations. The spokesperson added, «Ms. Murty has shortlisted several charities focused on veterans' affairs and education for the ShareGift team to consider at the time of disbursement.»
This move to close the company comes after previous scrutiny of Ms. Murty's non-dom status, allowing her to avoid UK tax on overseas earnings. Following criticism, she committed to paying UK tax
