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Watch Tory MPs cheer as David Cameron says he won't make them publish their tax returns

The PM said he did not agree with making MPs reveal their tax affairs to the public

Jon Stone
Monday 11 April 2016 16:41 BST
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David Cameron says he won t make MPs reveal their tax returns

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David Cameron has rejected calls for MPs to be made to reveal their tax affairs to the public.

There was glee in the House of Commons at the PM's announcement, which came in the wake of high-profile politicians voluntarily detailing their affairs.

“We already have robust rules on members’ interest and their declaration and I believe that’s the model we should continue to follow," he told MPs to cheers.

“We should think carefully before abandoning completely, all taxpayer confidentially in this House, as some have suggested.

“If this were to come in for MPs people would also ask for a similar approach for those who ask us questions, those who run large public services, lead local government, or edit the news programmes or newspapers.”

Labour's shadow chancellor John McDonnell has suggested that all MPs' tax affairs should be transparent. He has also called for a consultation on whether political journalists should be made to reveal their affairs.

Mr Cameron said the increased transparency for all MPs was "not the approach I would recommend".

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