‘Attack’ on Torridge conservative MP called ‘unfounded’ and ‘personal’
AN assertion from Labour’s parliamentary candidate has been called an “unfounded personal attack” by Torridge and West Devon’s MP.
Mike Sparling, Labour’s parliamentary candidate for Torridge and West Devon, has spoken out about the party’s measures to tackle tax avoidance in the first months of a Labour government.
He said he has been inundated with constituents in Torridge and West Devon concerned about tax avoidance, touching on a scheme currently being investigated by HMRC, which Geoffrey Cox had invested in.
The conservative MP invested money into Phoenix Film Partners, run by Ingenious Media, after being introduced to the company six years ago.
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HMRC is looking into the film investment scheme, which it believes was designed to avoid tax, and a tribunal is to take place later in the year.
Mike said: “David Cameron and George Osborne have totally failed to tackle tax avoidance in the last five years.
“What’s more, our very own part time Tory MP has questions to answer on this issue.
“The Tories and Lib Dems have failed to close the loopholes we have highlighted. And the amount of uncollected tax has risen under this government.
“We will close loopholes that cost the exchequer billions of pounds a year, increase transparency and toughen up penalties. And we will act in our first Finance Bill.”
Speaking to the Journal, Mr Cox stated that he had invested in the scheme in question in good faith.
He said that he has previously addressed these matters at considerable length and stressed that he is not being personally investigated by the HMRC.
He said: “There is nothing new in the Plymouth councillor’s assertions or approach.
“This is a cheap and unfounded personal attack designed solely to raise Mike Sparling’s profile ahead of the General Election.
“I have previously responded to these questions in full and I have made my position on aggressive tax avoidance clear.
“Rather than finding something positive to say or selling his parties polices to the people of Torridge and West Devon it is increasingly clear that Mr Sparling would rather engaging in mudslinging and gutter politics.
“The reality is the Labour Party sat in the Treasury for 13 years and did nothing about tax transparency, nothing about tax dodging, and nothing about tax avoidance.”
