The man who wants to be Conservative MP for Richmond Park, Zac Goldsmith, should be banned from standing in the forthcoming General Election because of his tax status as a “non domiciled” UK resident, says Pendle MP, Gordon Prentice.

The west London seat is currently held by the Liberal Democrats. 

Individuals living in the UK whose domicile is elsewhere are entitled to be taxed on a special basis which reflects this fact.  

Speaking from Westminster earlier today, the MP said: “It is outrageous that someone could even think of becoming an MP in our Parliament when they are domiciled elsewhere for tax purposes.” 

The super wealthy Zac Goldsmith, who is close to David Cameron, explained today that his non domiciled status is “a reflection of my father’s international status” (the late James Goldsmith was a French MEP) and had offered him “few benefits”.” 

The Conservative Party said today that Goldsmith’s tax affairs were a private matter for him. 

Prentice commented: “I beg to differ. I have now asked the Justice Minister, Jack Straw, to table a Government amendment to the Constitutional Reform Bill making non doms ineligible for election to the UK Parliament.”