This is the amount on the cheque that Hazel waved around last week before handing it to the Inland Revenue to try and diffuse the Capital Gains Tax scandal. Now it looks like being returned and Hazel wants the money to go “to a good cause”…
Answering a reporter’s e-mail in today’s Guardian* Hazel Blears explains that if the taxman doesn’t cash her £13,332 cheque (because she was `within the rules’) she’s going to find somewhere else to send it.
“I don't know yet what they intend to do with it” she says “I am clear that I don't want it offset against future tax liability. If they return it, I will make an equivalent donation to a good cause.”
Is there a better campaigning cause in Salford than the Salford Star?
“I know it will take many months and years for my reputation to recover” she adds “I intend to throw myself into political campaigning and activism even more than I do at the moment, and as an MP I can continue to speak for people without a voice…”
The Salford Star is an award winning community magazine that has been `representing people without a voice’ for three years, before being forced to stop printing by a no-show of public funding. Now the magazine is only available online, despite the fact that two thirds of Salford people don’t have access to the net. A perfect `good cause’ for Hazel when the cheque comes back…
So Hazel, we look forward to receiving your cheque…just make it out to `Salford Star’ and we’ll have another print issue out real soon…
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO US...
* How come she answer’s him within a day and we’re still waiting six months for a reply to our e-mail? Hope we don't have to wait as long for our birthday card and cheque...