Billionaire Green, who built up a retail empire including high street staples Topshop, Dorothy Perkins and Burtons, has been asked to lead the Government Efficiency Review, which is tasked with reviewing government contracts dating back to 2007 to find room for savings.
However, Green has previously been criticised over his tax status after handing over ownership of his empire to wife Christina who lives in the tax haven of Monaco. He is still a UK resident and regularly stays in the UK, flying back to his family in Monaco in his private jet on weekends.
The Liberal Democrats, who took a very strong stance against tax avoidance in the run-up to the elections, are said to be very concerned about his appointment, with business secretary Vince Cable reported to have already signalled his unhappiness over the tycoon’s arrival in Whitehall.
Furthermore, Liberal Democrat leader and Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg yesterday indicated he wanted the coalition to introduce a general anti-avoidance rule, although he did not directly mention Green.
He said: “We are looking at the case for an anti-avoidance rule to ensure that wealthy individuals pay their fair share of tax.”
Green has publicly denied his wife is a tax exile and recently said he has paid up to £400m in tax on company profits over the past five years. In an interview with the BBC last week he said: “My family do not live in the United Kingdom, it’s somewhat different.”
