UKIP accuses European Commission of 'breath-taking hypocrisy' over latest Luxleaks scandal

UKIP MEP Steven Woolfe (pictured) says that ordinary  British taxpayers will be outraged by the revelation that a firm involved in one of Europe’s largest tax scandals is now giving tax advice to the European Commission and member states.

PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), one of the main tax firms involved in the Luxleaks scandal, is on an advisory council labeled the EU Joint Transfer Pricing Forum. This body provides council to the Commission on such tax areas as APAs (Advanced Pricing Agreements) which allowed hundreds of big companies based in Luxembourg to pay virtually no tax, mainly thanks to deals masterminded by PwC.

At the time Woolfe demanded for Juncker resign as Commission president and he reiterated that position today: "Juncker tried to kick the can down the road in November when he tragically clung onto power after the EFDD's motion of censure and now after these revelations the President's position is looking as tenuous as ever."

"For a firm such as PwC to have such unrivalled influence over Commission tax policy shows an astounding lack of judgment from the bureaucrats. For years this firm was advising companies how to avoid paying the fair amount of tax and now it is advising the EU on its tax program, it stinks of corruption. In any other walk of life this fragrant level of deceit and misconduct would not be tolerated."

Woolfe concluded: "The choice is clear for Mr Juncker; do the honourable thing and resign or beg, borrow and steal to remain as President. I won't be holding my breath."

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