Lord Ashcroft admits 'non-dom' tax status

THE Tory party's biggest donor revealed yesterday after months of speculation that he enjoyed "non-dom" tax status

Lord Ashcroft issued a public statement confirming he did not pay full UK tax on his overseas earnings.

The peer, a party vice chairman whose millions have helped bankroll intense efforts in marginal seats, insisted that was in line with conditions placed on his peerage.

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And he pledged to pay full UK tax if the Government's proposed ban on "non-doms" in the Lords – backed by Tory leader David Cameron – comes into force later this year.

Mr Cameron said he was "delighted" that an issue on which he has faced persistent questions was now in the open and pointed out that Labour was also funded by some "non-doms".

But Labour accused the peer of trying to "redefine" his pledges in 2000.

Justice Secretary Jack Straw insisted the Tories had covered up a failure to meet them for a decade, and Liberal Democratic leader Nick Clegg said it was "wholly wrong" for a "non-dom" to fund an election campaign.

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In a statement on his website, Lord Ashcroft said: "Throughout the last 10 years, I have been declaring all my UK income to HM Revenue. My precise tax status therefore is that of a 'non-dom'.

"While I value my privacy, I do not want my affairs to distract from the General Election campaign."

His surprise declaration came days ahead of a deadline for the publication of official papers detailing assurances he gave before taking up his peerage in 2000.

The Information Commissioner ordered their release last month after ruling that there was a "legitimate interest" for the public to know whether he had met those undertakings.