hello pot, this is kettle calling...

[Menelaus]

http://order-order.com/2010/03/02/to...to-be-jobless/

More from Guido.

One wonders how much this is costing we taxpayers...

[KW17 2LN]

It really turns my stomach to see Mandelson in Ermine, so for him to say this makes my sides split...

I bet he makes Reinaldo's sides split.

[Moscow Mule]

After being rejected for a peerage, Ashcroft gave assurances that he would become resident in this country. The assumption was that he would become tax resident. He then sought government legal advice on whether he had to become a tax payer, and was advised that he didn't.

Which, to a certain extent, is no different from many of the MPs - Kitty Ussher, Hazel Blears, et al - have done. However, they took a few grand from the taxpayer, whereas Ashcroft is about £300million short on his tax payments.

If you still believe that he has a higher moral authority than Mandelson, then I question your morality.

Does Lord Paul get the same treatment?

Labour's bleating on this is pure hypocrisy.

[TheFaQQer]

Does Lord Paul get the same treatment?

Labour's bleating on this is pure hypocrisy.

Lord Paul has never denied being a non-dom. Lord Paul's business, which donates money to the Labour party, actually does some business in the UK, whereas Ashcroft's business is being reviewed by the Electoral Commission to determine whether any of his donations are legal or not.

[OwlHoot]

The fact that for once Mandelson has the higher moral ground says a lot for the status of Ashcroft. ...

What about Lord Swarj Paul, who I believe is another non-dom *and* has trousered £250K in expenses for attending the House of Lords whereas Ashcroft hasn't claimed a penny?

[Addanc]

The fact that for once Mandelson has the higher moral ground says a lot for the status of Ashcroft.

I don't think so. See here, here, here and here.

[TheFaQQer]

What about Lord Swarj Paul, who I believe is another non-dom *and* has trousered £250K in expenses for attending the House of Lords whereas Ashcroft hasn't claimed a penny?

I refer the honourable gentleman to the post I made some moments ago, r.e. Lord Paul.