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Allegations of tax avoidance could be 'very damaging'

NGO called for review years ago

Negative publicity for the Isle of Man over issues of tax avoidance could be 'very damaging' for our reputation says an ex-Union head.

Allegations have been made by the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists surrounding the VAT treatment of aircraft leasing arrangements on Island.

No evidence has yet been made public to support the accusations.

Government called a press conference earlier this week to preemptively refute the claims, whilst Chief Minster Howard Quayle has been interviewed by BBC's Panorama.

Although Manx and UK laws in this area are the same, HMRC has also been invited to assess the practice of importing business jets to the European Union through the Isle of Man.

Local NGO, the Celtic League had called for a review of the Island's shipping and aircraft registries in 2015 - the request was ignored by government officials.

Bernard Moffatt says being internally critical is fine, but once the external media's attention is drawn to a negative issue, trouble could be brewing: 

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