Wilson slams Labour leaders over tax remarks

The MP for East Antrim was commenting after the first session of Prime Minister’s questions since publication of the leaked Panama Papers – when Jeremy Corbyn criticised the Conservative government for failing to clamp down on tax havens.

Shadow chancellor John McDonnell has also been outspoken in his attacks on the Government over its income and inheritance tax policies.

Both Mr Corbyn and Mr McDonnell supported Irish republican events while the IRA continued its campaign of terrorism during the Troubles.

The DUP MP said: “It is disgusting to see the leader of the Labour Party and the shadow chancellor beat their breasts about tax evasion when they befriended and feted the leaders of the IRA which engaged in all types of fiscal fraud to finance their murder campaign against the people of NI.”

Speaking during the Common’s debate on offshore accounts, Mr Wilson also said it was an important issue as the public is concerned that some well-known companies “can evade paying taxes due on their activities” within the UK.

“These activities make it harder to finance public services, put up tax for millions of ordinary tax payers and help finance terrorism.

“Dealing with this issue requires a mature debate not the Labour Party’s politics of envy against people who are well off or the shallow solution and siren calls for MPs to publish their tax returns,” he added.