Judge Lined up to Investigate HMRC Settlements

A JUDGE is to investigate a series of deals made between HM Revenue & Customs and big companies.

A Public Accounts Committee report to be published next week will criticise the taxman for losing up to £5bn through systematic management errors when agreeing the deals, it has been reported.

The committee has asked the National Audit Office to review ten specific deals agreed by HMRC, including those involving Goldman Sachs and Vodafone. The NAO has asked former judge Sir Andrew Park to help with the investigations, the Telegraph has reported.

The PAC report will question why senior officials were able to negotiate and then independently sign off the deals.

The NAO inquiry will not have the power to extract further payments from the companies.