Sunday Mirror (Northern Ireland)
How furlough can they go?
Millionaires grab taxpayers’ cash despite fortunes
BUSINESSES run by wealthy politicians and a royal have tapped the taxpayer-funded furlough scheme during the pandemic.
Nigel Farage’s Brexit Party Ltd, ex-Commons Speaker John Bercow’s company and firms owned by the Queen’s grandson Peter Phillips have benefited, a Government list reveals.
Records for the most recent accounting period show the Brexit Party – led by Mr Farage whose estimated wealth is £3million – received £17m in donations and spent £18m. It employs 47 people. Over that period Fedhead Limited, owned and run by John and wife Sally Bercow which has a staff of two, earned £547,664 but still claimed under the furlough scheme.
Mr Bercow, who stood down as Speaker in October
2019, was Westminster’s highest-paid politician prior to his retirement, on over £152,000 a year.
He made more than £500,000 in the first year since leaving his position, having signed with JLA Speaker Bureau, whose top speakers can often command £25,000 per speech.
Peter Phillips’ companies SEL (UK) Ltd and City Racing Ltd are on the furlough list. Estranged wife Autumn’s firms APP Consultancy and SCGB Ltd have also used the scheme.
Last year he used his royal position to appear in a milk advert in China.
Raising his glass at the end of the commercial, he says: “This is what I drink.” The tagline reads: “British Royal Family member, Peter Phillips.”
John O’Connell, of the TaxPayers’ Alliance, said lockdown means every penny counts, adding: “Some businesses have repaid the support offered by taxpayers. They should serve as an example for others that have come through the past year in rude health.
“Taxpayers have long memories of those that helped in the national effort and those that didn’t.”
We contacted the Brexit Party, Mr Bercow and Mr Phillips but received no replies.