Reactionary EU campaigners implicated in Panama Papers

RMT banner No to EU austerity, photo Paul Mattsson

RMT banner No to EU austerity, photo Paul Mattsson   (Click to enlarge: opens in new window)

Clive Heemskerk, TUSC national election agent

One aspect of the Panama Papers revelations not widely commented on is the links with the reactionary Vote Leave and Grassroots Out EU referendum campaigns of some of the ‘offshore investors’ named.

This is significant. The Electoral Commission is currently deciding which of these two organisations, or a third – the Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition (TUSC) – will be appointed as the official Leave campaign in June’s referendum.

The group chosen will be given access to TV broadcasts and substantial public resources – a £13 million free mailshot for starters.

It would be a scandal if taxpayers’ money went to organisations whose backers do everything to avoid paying tax.

At the very least the Electoral Commission should do a proper audit of the business backers of Grassroots Out and Vote Leave before they make their designation decision.

Alternatively, they can designate TUSC as the lead campaign for Leave. You won’t find our supporters on the Panama lists.