Here is rather an odd story published in the Crewe Chronicle, about Crewe & Nantwich MP Edward Timpson being forced to leave the HMRC Crewe office.I wonder what the particular "protocol" that he didn't follow was that so annoyed HMRC?
CREWE & Nantwich MP Edward Timpson has lodged a formal protest after being forced to leave the premises at Crewe tax office.
Mr Timpson had hot-footed it by train from London following the announcement the Crewe office was to close.
But he was forced to meet with worried staff, some of them in tears, on a car park opposite the Oak Street office after being told to leave the premises.
As he left the office building, an angry Mr Timpson said: “I have been asked to leave because they (management) said the proper protocol was not followed. I was here to see the workers in that building, most of whom are my constituents, who have just found out they’ve lost their jobs and want my support.
“That’s why I’ve come all the way from London and I can’t believe I’ve been asked to leave.”
The Conservative MP said he had travelled to Crewe to lend his support to the workers at this difficult time. He has now complained to Financial Secretary Stephen Timms’ office about his treatment by HMRC managers.
Mr Timpson added: “To deny an MP access to his constituents at a time when his constituents need him most is an outrage.”
An HMRC spokesman said: “We apologise for any inconvenience to Mr Timpson but we do have protocol and strict guidelines in place for visits to any of our offices.
“Mr Timpson is aware of the protocol as he’s gone through it before on previous visits and it does appear to have been sidestepped on this occasion.”
Mr Timpson has branded the consultation process leading up to the closure of the tax office “a sham”.
Tax does have to be taxing.
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Jon Thompson/HMRC sent a letter to my local MP which contained defamatory lies. Previously other commenters have talked of similar from Lin Homer. Recently another story, highlighted on this website, talked of HMRC pissing off the MP for Bootle. With this incident, involving the now former MP for Crewe & Nantwich, occurring back in 2008, would indicate that HMRC have quite some history of disrespecting democracy.
ReplyDeleteI would be surprised if the former departments HMC&E or the Inland Revenue would have behaved like this.
Perhaps its all part of the casual corruption of the Civil Service which has happened in recent times and has been highlighted in many newspaper articles? I don't know.
One thing is for sure. If the Theresa May wants to increase her popularity and demonstrate 'strong & stable' leadership by tackling 'burning injustices' a good place to start would be getting the nation's tax authority in order. That requires a robust investigation (not a pointless inquiry) with action taken on the findings, and then proper root & branch reform (not privatisation though).