The Green Party has acknowledged that its leader, Zack Polanski, might have neglected to pay the appropriate council tax while residing on a houseboat in London. Mr Polanski has since issued an apology following inquiries about whether the vessel, moored in east London, served as his primary residence.
Government Guidance on Council Tax for Houseboats
According to government regulations, an individual may be liable for council tax on a boat if it is their 'sole or main' residence. Initially, the Green Party asserted that Mr Polanski rented a room at another address where council tax was included in the rent and only used the boat 'occasionally.' However, a party spokesperson has now described the situation as an 'unintentional mistake' and stated that he has 'immediately taken steps' to settle any outstanding tax.
Details of the Case
The Times reported last week that an advertisement for the sale of the boat, written by Mr Polanski's partner, mentioned they were 'moving to a house.' It was also revealed that Mr Polanski was registered to vote at a building near the marina, which he allegedly used as a mailing address. Tax lawyer Dan Neidle, founder of Tax Policy Associates, analysed the case and noted that if the boat was indeed Mr Polanski's sole or main residence, he and/or his partner should have registered for and paid council tax for the three-year period.
Formal Complaint and Political Reactions
Tory London Assembly member Neil Garratt has lodged a formal complaint with City Hall's standards committee, stating: 'People rightly expect senior politicians to follow the rules and pay the taxes they impose on others. If Mr Polanski paid all his council tax, why is he refusing to answer direct questions about when and where he paid it?'
Previous Controversies
Earlier this week, Mr Polanski admitted using the 'wrong word' after claiming he had been a spokesman for the British Red Cross. He has also faced scrutiny over past remarks suggesting hypnotherapy could enlarge a woman's breasts, which he insists was the journalist's idea and has repeatedly apologised for.
