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08th Apr 2016

Jimmy Carr’s “classy” reaction to David Cameron’s tax trouble is actually utterly lethal

Taking the high road

Declan Cashin

David Cameron has come in for a torrent of criticism, abuse, and mockery over his tax affairs in the last few days.

While some of the prime minister’s enemies may pick this moment to kick him when he’s politically vulnerable, others are choosing to make their point in more indirect ways.

Case in point is comedian Jimmy Carr, himself no stranger to HMRC-related controversy.

LONDON, ENGLAND - JUNE 04: Presenter Jimmy Carr on stage during the Diamond Jubilee concert at Buckingham Palace on June 4, 2012 in London, England. For only the second time in its history the UK celebrates the Diamond Jubilee of a monarch. Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II celebrates the 60th anniversary of her ascension to the throne. Thousands of well-wishers from around the world have flocked to London to witness the spectacle of the weekend?s celebrations. (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)

Indeed, David Cameron publicly condemned Carr’s tax affairs in 2012, when he said during an interview:

“I just think this is completely wrong. People work hard, they pay their taxes, they save up to go to one of [Carr’s] shows. They buy the tickets. He is taking the money from those tickets and he, as far as I can see, is putting all of that into some very dodgy tax avoiding schemes.

“That is wrong. There is nothing wrong with people planning their tax affairs to invest in their pension and plan for their retirement – that sort of tax management is fine. But some of these schemes we have seen are quite frankly morally wrong.”

On Friday afternoon, Carr finally waded into the Cameron tax scandal with a simple tweet:

Sometimes the high road can be the most lethally devastating option of all.