Former conservative MP, Nadhim Zahawi, was recently fired by Rishi Sunak on terms of breaching the ministerial code regarding his tax affairs. Upon receiving the information from his independent ethics advisor, Sunak wrote to the conservative party chairman, ‘I have informed you of my decision to remove you from your position in His Majesty’s Government’.
The 55-year-old Nadhim Zahawi was born in Iraqi Kurdistan where he spent the early years of his life growing up in an influential Kurdish family. Nadhim's father Hareth Zahawi was a well-known businessman, and Nadhim's grandfather the governor of the central bank of Iraq. However, after Saddam Hussein rose to power in 1979, the Kurdish people residing in Iraq became targeted under his regime. It was evident to Nadhim’s family that life in Iraq would under no circumstances be a safe and habitable place for them and other Kurdish families, therefore they decided to immigrate to the UK. At the young age of just 11, Nadhim, unable to speak a word of English, began his new life in Holland Park School in London. He was soon move into a private education and studied in the schools of Ibstock Place and King’s College. Unfortunately, bankruptcy struck for him and his family, yet he continued to pursue his education at university. Nadhim’s interest in politics led him to being elected as the MP for Stratford Upon Avon, in 2010. His career progressed and eventually he was appointed as Chairman of the Tory Party, under the governing of Rishi Sunak.
However, the report sent to Sunak by his ethics advisor uncovered new secrets regarding Zahawi’s actions. The report portrays multiple breaches of the ministerial code, failing to meet the requirement ‘to declare any interests which might be thought to give rise to a conflict’. Furthermore, Zahawi failed to correct the record for a long period of time regarding previous tax affairs allegations, of which he dismissed as smears. Overall, due to the numerous breaches in the ministerial code, Rishi Sunak, although praising his achievements, had no other choice but to sack Nadhim Zahawi.
