Protesters in London Saturday called on Prime Minister David Cameron to resign after his family’s financial affairs were included in the so-called Panama Papers.
Gathered on Downing Street, where the prime minister’s residence is located, protesters held signs reading “Time to go, chum” and “Defy Tori Rule” among others and chanting “What do we want? Cameron out!” and “Get the Tories out!”.
Cameron’s admission
Speaking at his Conservative Party’s spring forum earlier Saturday, Cameron said he should have handled scrutiny of his family’s tax arrangements better and promised to learn the lessons. He said it was his responsibility and that Downing Street staff should not be blamed.
“I know that I should have handled this better; I could have handled this better. I know there are lessons to learn, and I will learn them. And don’t blame Number 10 Downing Street, or nameless advisers, blame me,” he said.
Cameron’s admission came several days after negative media coverage and calls for his resignation.
The opposition Labour Party has also demanded Cameron make a statement to Parliament on Monday regarding his financial affairs linked to off shore investments.
Blairmore Holdings
Leaked documents revealed that Cameron’s late father, Ian, owned part of the Bahamas-based Blairmore Holdings, one of the firms involved, in which the prime minister himself had an active interest until just before taking office.
Downing Street had issued several statements about the offshore companies without mentioning Cameron’s interest.
Thursday, Cameron admitted he had a stake in the fund and sold it for around $42,000 four months before he became prime minister in 2010.
The Panama Papers have also exposed the fact that more than half of the offshore companies implicated in the leak from Panama-based law firm Mossack-Fonseca are registered in British overseas territories. (VOA)