Labour has called for an investigation into Green Party leader Zack Polanski after he admitted he may have failed to pay the correct council tax while living on a London houseboat. The controversy centers on whether the narrowboat, moored in east London, was his primary residence.
Background of the Controversy
The Green Party initially stated that Polanski only stayed on the boat occasionally. However, late Monday night, an apology was issued on his behalf, acknowledging an unintentional mistake. In a letter to the monitoring officer at the Greater London Assembly (GLA), Labour Party chair Anna Turley accused Polanski of breaching the Nolan Principles of honesty, integrity, accountability, and openness.
Labour's Formal Complaint
Turley wrote: "I am writing to ask that you investigate matters now in the public domain concerning Zack Polanski AM. The Green Party has publicly acknowledged that Zack Polanski lived on a narrowboat at Lee Valley Marina over the past three years, and that council tax was not paid in relation to it during the relevant period." She highlighted a significant change from the earlier position that he only stayed occasionally.
The letter requested investigation into two key issues:
- Whether Polanski breached Section 106 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992, which requires public office holders in arrears on council tax for two months or more to declare that fact at meetings and prohibits them from voting on certain financial matters.
- Whether his actions breached the GLA Code of Conduct and the Nolan Principles, particularly honesty, integrity, accountability, and openness.
Conservative London Assembly member Neil Garratt has also asked City Hall to investigate potential breaches of conduct rules. Labour stated that Polanski "cannot be trusted," while the Conservatives accused him of "staggering hypocrisy."
Additional Revelations
The Times reported seeing an advertisement for the boat sale in which Polanski's partner wrote: "We are moving to a house and so will sadly be leaving the gorgeous community behind." The Daily Mail revealed that Polanski was registered to vote at a building near the marina, which he also used as a mailing address.
Tax lawyer Dan Neidle of Tax Policy Associates analyzed the situation, stating: "If the boat was in fact Mr Polanski's 'sole or main residence' then he and/or his partner should have registered for, and paid, council tax for those three years."
Green Party Response
A Green Party spokesperson said late Monday: "Until relatively recently, Zack was living on a houseboat, which came with its own unique practical circumstances and considerations. He has immediately taken steps to pay any council tax he may be found to owe. Zack apologises sincerely for the unintentional mistake." They added that for security reasons, they do not comment publicly on his address, citing two serious incidents reported to police.
Previously, the party claimed Polanski rented a room where council tax was included and only stayed on the boat occasionally. Government guidance states that a person may be liable for council tax on a boat if it is their sole or main residence.
Further Scrutiny
Polanski has faced increased scrutiny over past statements. Last week, he admitted he was wrong to claim he was a spokesperson for the British Red Cross during his 2022 campaign for deputy leader. He told the BBC he had hosted fundraisers for the charity and used the wrong word.
Labour said Polanski had been "caught red-handed" after repeatedly claiming his council tax was above board. The party stated: "The Green Party leader has already been found out for fibbing over his employment history, and his hypnosis skills, and now this has emerged too. What else is Polanski hiding?"
Conservative Party chairman Kevin Hollinrake commented: "This is staggering hypocrisy from Zack Polanski. A man who wants to hike taxes for millions has failed to pay his own council tax properly."
Waltham Forest council was contacted for comment.
