The Demise of Purdah II - Hartley Not Guilty

Yesterday I wrote about Jonathan Hall, a senior information officer at HMRC, who had received bungs from Sun journalist Clodagh Hartley in exchange for leaking stories to the paper.

Whilst Hall had admitted wrongdoing, Hartley stood trial. The verdict is now in, and she has been found not guilty.

As per economia:

"Clodagh Hartley has been cleared of conspiracy to commit misconduct in public office, two and a half years after being granted bail, as part of Operation Elveden.

The prosecution alleged that Jonathan Hall, a senior information officer at the Revenue, was paid over £4,000 by News International, a further £13,000 was paid into the account of his girlfriend Marta Bukarewicz – the majority of which was then transferred into his account, for leaks. Bukarewicz was also found not guilty.

Stories leaked to the Sun included details of an advertising campaign for the government website DirectGov, funded by £1.3m of taxpayers money.

On the morning of Budget Day 2010, the Sun also published a “leaked” announcement that there would be a rise in fuel duty.

It was revealed during Hartley’s trial that Hall has already pleaded guilty to misconduct in public office, according to the Guardian."

As I noted yesterday, doubtless Hall is but a single bad apple in HMRC's barrel. I wonder though whether he declared the income to HMRC, and whether HMRC will now cross check to see that he has done so?

Tax does have to be taxing.

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The Demise of Purdah

As loyal readers may recall, I have on occasions bemoaned the fact that Budget Purdah is now a thing of the past.

It seems that one of the reasons (aside from flabby mouthed politicians) for the demise of Purdah, is the fact that an HMRC press officer was supplying The Sun with inside information in exchange for bungs. As per the Guardian:

"A reporter on the Sun newspaper allegedly paid £17,000 to an HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) press officer for confidential information including leaked details of the 2010 budget, an Old Bailey jury heard.

Clodagh Hartley, 40, Whitehall editor of the Sun at the time, was “motivated by acquiring the next big scoop”, while her source, Jonathan Hall, a senior information officer at HMRC, was “motivated by greed”, the court was told.

Stories included details of the 2010 budget, published on budget day, “so readers of the Sun were reading details of the budget before the chancellor had got to his feet in the House of Commons”, said Zoe Johnson QC, prosecuting. Most of the payments were paid into the account of Hall’s live-in girlfriend, Marta Bukarewicz, “to cover his tracks”, it was alleged. Bukarewicz then transferred the money to Hall’s account “deceptively labelled as rent” and kept some money herself as “commission” for “her unlawful efforts”, it was alleged.""

Hall has accepted that he supplied stories to Hartley for which he was paid.

Let us trust that this is a one off, and that Hall is the only bad apple in HMRC!

Tax does have to be taxing.

Professional Cover Against the Threat of Costly TAX and VAT Investigations

Insurance to protect you against the cost of enquiry or dispute with HMRC is available from several sources including Solar Tax Investigation Insurance.

Ken Frost has negotiated a 10% discount on any polices that may suit your needs.

However, neither Ken Frost nor HMRCISSHITE either endorses or recommends their services.

What is Solar Tax Investigation Insurance?

Solar Tax Investigation Insurance is a tax-fee protection service that will pay up to £75,000 towards your accountant's fees in the event of an HM Revenue & Customs full enquiry or dispute.

To find out more, please use this link Solar Tax Investigation Insurance



HMRC Is Shite (www.hmrcisshite.com), also available via the domain www.hmrconline.com, is brought to you by www.kenfrost.com "The Living Brand"

Paid Leaks

I see that senior HMRC press officer Jonathon Hall will be charged with allegedly leaking information on the 2010 Budget to The Sun.

When I was a nipper, breaking Budget Purdah was considered to be a flogging offence. Now, sadly, Budget details are leaked as often and in much the same way as the police leak details to the media of people arrested for alleged crimes.

According to economia, Hall and his partner, Marta Bukarewicz, will be charged along with The Sun's Whitehall editor Clodagh Hartley as part of Operation Elveden.

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said that Hall and Hartley will be charged with conspiracy to commit misconduct in public office over alleged inappropriate payments.

It is alleged that between 30 March 2008 and 15 July 2011 The Sun paid £17,475 to Jonathan Hall, mostly via Marta Bukarewicz, in exchange for the unauthorised disclosure of information obtained as a result of his employment with HMRC.

According to the CPS statement, the information included government plans, unannounced spending and policy decisions relating to the 2010 Budget, plus the coalition government's deficit reduction plans.

Information also related specifically to policy and decision-making within HMRC, including that relating to job losses and casework.

HMRC have not provided a statement to economia.

I wonder if Hall declared these payments in his tax return?

Tax does have to be taxing.

Professional Cover Against the Threat of Costly TAX and VAT Investigations

Insurance to protect you against the cost of enquiry or dispute with HMRC is available from several sources including Solar Tax Investigation Insurance.

Ken Frost has negotiated a 10% discount on any polices that may suit your needs.

However, neither Ken Frost nor HMRCISSHITE either endorses or recommends their services.

What is Solar Tax Investigation Insurance?

Solar Tax Investigation Insurance is a tax-fee protection service that will pay up to £75,000 towards your accountant's fees in the event of an HM Revenue & Customs full enquiry or dispute.

To find out more, please use this link Solar Tax Investigation Insurance



HMRC Is Shite (www.hmrcisshite.com), also available via the domain www.hmrconline.com, is brought to you by www.kenfrost.com "The Living Brand"