HMRC Chief invesigating the scandal implicated in creating Blairmore tax dodging fund

It now appears the man in charge of HMRC who Cameron has tasked with investigating the revelations into the Blairmore tax dodging operations was himself instrumental in their creation. Edward Troup, executive chair of HMRC since April, is a former partner at Simmons & Simmons, whose clients have included the Panama-registered fund created by David Cameron’s father, Ian.

The law firm’s name appears on dozens of emails and documents in the Panama Papers in connection with a number of companies registered with Mossack Fonseca, the offshore agent at the centre of the scandal.

Cameron announced on Saturday that HMRC would be working with the National Crime Agency to lead a “world-class” taskforce to investigate allegations of tax dodging and money laundering brought to light by the leak of 11.5 million files from the Panama law firm. A unit with initial funding of £10m is being set up, which will also bring together specialists from the Serious Fraud Office and the Financial Conduct Authority. Officials have already started investigating some 700 current leads with a link to Panama.

How without full and frank disclosure by Mr Troup of his own financial affairs can we be certain that he personally did not benefit from the Blairmore fund?

HMRC chief was partner at law firm that acted for Cameron offshore fund