An ex-Liberal Democrat councillor has slammed Sir Ed Davey over his demand for British expats to pay tax for British protection amid the US-Iran war.
Matthew Hulbert, whose family lives in Dubai, admitted to GB News he believed his leader's argument was "wholly wrong" and "didn't know what his problem was" in a fiery takedown.
During Prime Minister's Questions yesterday, the Liberal Democrat leader asked if the Prime Minister agreed it was "only right" expats across the Middle East should "start paying taxes to fund our Armed Forces just like the rest of us do".
Sir Ed asked the Prime Minister: "We rightly expect our brave Armed Forces to protect British citizens around the world in crises like this.
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"But that includes tax exiles like Isabel Oakeshott and washed-up old footballers who mock ordinary people who stay in the UK and pay our taxes here.
"So as we protect them, does the PM agree it's only right for tax exiles to start paying taxes to fund our Armed Forces just like the rest of us do?"
Sir Ed's claim has been poorly received, with the leader singling out journalist Isabel Oakeshott, Richard Tice's fiancée, for living in the Emirates, who has also been outspoken about her disdain for Labour's tax hikes.
In response, Ms Oakeshott said the call-out was a "badge of honour" and subsequently branded the Kingston & Surbiton MP a "talking potato".
The ex-Liberal Democrat councillor slammed his own leader
|GB NEWS/PA
Now, discussing the question on GB News, Mr Hulbert said: "On this, I'm afraid, my leader is wholly wrong. My sister, brother in law and family live out in Dubai. They have done for many years.
"They've worked very hard for what they have out there. They're not tax exiles. An opportunity came up for my brother in law many, many years ago and they've built a wonderful life in Dubai.
"They asked nothing of no one. They've not asked for any help from the UK Government since the start of this crisis.
"The UAE Government is looking after them perfectly well, so I'm afraid I just don't know where my leader is coming from."
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While host Nana Akua argued his argument might stem from the "politics of envy", some expats have left Britain "because they can't stand the sight of the taxes in this country".
Admitting he had a "bit of sympathy" for his former leader, Mr Hulbert added: "I think it's a patriotic thing to stay in your country and to pay tax.
"That wasn't the case with my family. An opportunity came up for them many years ago. I'm talking decades ago to go out to the Middle East.
"They built a wonderful life there. And yes, the tax situation there is what it is," he declared, explaining his family was "totally self-sustaining".
"They've got to fund their retirement. When they reach that age, they're asking nothing off of anyone. So I don't know what my leader's problem is," he slammed.
Sir Ed's statement followed Sir Keir Starmer delivering a statement to MPs, providing an update on action across the Middle East with the Iran conflict persisting across the region.
Some 300,000 Britons are believed to be in affected areas – with more than 1,000 nationals already having returned to the UK, Sir Keir said today.
The Foreign Office has advised against all except essential travel to the UAE, as well as Kuwait, Bahrain and Qatar. The department has also advised against travel to Israel altogether.
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