Sunak admits he held US green card while a government minister

The Liberal Democrats have called for the cabinet secretary to launch an urgent investigation into chancellor Rishi Sunak after reports emerge that he previously held a US Green Card.

This afternoon a spokesperson for the chancellor confirmed Sky News’ claims both Sunak and his wife held US residence cards for over a year after the former was made chancellor.

However they said Sunak gave up the card in 2021 after seeking guidance on his first government trip to the US in October 2021.

Party leader Ed Davey has today written to the cabinet secretary Simon Case and the independent adviser on ministers’ interests Lord Geidt, urging them to open an investigation into whether Sunak broke the Ministerial Code by failing to declare his residency in the United States.

Those who hold green cards are treated as lawful permanent residents of the US and are considered a “US tax resident for US income tax purposes”.

Commenting Ed Davey MP said: “How could the man who is responsible for UK tax policy regard any permanent residency status for the United States as acceptable? This would be a huge conflict of interest – and a serious breach of the Ministerial Code.

“Rishi Sunak must come clean about his own financial arrangements and whether he has ever held a Green Card. If he will not, then we need an independent investigation to get to the bottom of this.”

The Ministerial Code sets out that: “Ministers must ensure that no conflict arises, or appears to arise, between their public duties and their private interests.”

The principles of public life – which underpin the Code – call for integrity, openness and honesty.