‘Offensive’ police code name for Nadhim Zahawi tax probe linked to tropical fish
Exclusive: Operation Catalufa was named after a species of ray-finned fish that lives deep in the Pacific Ocean
Your support helps us to tell the story
As your White House correspondent, I ask the tough questions and seek the answers that matter.
Your support enables me to be in the room, pressing for transparency and accountability. Without your contributions, we wouldn't have the resources to challenge those in power.
Your donation makes it possible for us to keep doing this important work, keeping you informed every step of the way to the November election
Andrew Feinberg
White House Correspondent
Friends of Nadhim Zahawi have questioned the decision by police to name their secret inquiry into his tax affairs after a spikey orange tropical fish.
The National Crime Agency, which alongside HMRC was involved in probing Tory chairman Mr Zahawi’s finances, gave the investigation the codename Operation Catalufa.
The catalufa is a species of ray-finned fish, orange in colour, with large eyes, whose habitat is the deep waters of the Pacific Ocean.
Up to 50cm in length and found off the coastline of Mexico, it is known as “Popeye Catalufa” because of its bulging eyes which are suited to its carnivorous and nocturnal lifestyle.
It is also described as having a “wide oval body and upturned mouth”.
The NCA says codenames for their inquiries are chosen at random.
However, some allies of Mr Zahawi have questioned whether the “offensive and unfunny” name was a joke at his expense.
The Independent has seen confidential official correspondence where the term is used in relation to the cabinet minister.
The NCA has been dubbed “the British FBI” and leads the UK’s fight against serious crime including money laundering and fraud. It works in collaboration with HMRC tackling complex financial crime.
An NCA spokesman said: ‘We do not routinely confirm or deny the existence of investigations.” The spokesman said NCA codenames were selected by an automated process.
It is understood that the NCA’s International Corruption Unit had a role in the inquiry into Mr Zahawi’s tangled finances, which focussed on money held offshore in Gibraltar.
The NCA did not take action against Zahawi but it is known to work closely in such matters with HMRC. The Serious Fraud Office is also said to have been involved.
When The Independent asked Mr Zahawi last July if he was aware that the NCA had investigated him, he said: ‘There was no such investigation. I would know. Right?’
The Independent was told by Whitehall sources that Mr Zahawi was not informed of the NCA inquiry because “they were trawling for information on him” - and didn’t want him to know.
It has been reported that Mr Zahawi paid £5 million - including a £1 million penalty - to HMRC to cover unpaid tax last summer.
A spokesperson for Mr Sunak said the prime minister had not known that a penalty was paid by Mr Zahawi.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments