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A case of libel
Apr 14, 2008, 04:41 AM
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Daniel
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Apr 14, 2008, 04:41 AM
The three things I most enjoyed at the weekend were the masterful German movie The Counterfeiters, Blandford Fly bottled ale (eyewateringly toothsome), and the news that Robert Murat has brought libel actions against 12 media outlets in the UK.
Mr Murat was the victim of several outrageous lies by shabby hacks, after being named as a formal suspect by Portuguese police investigating the disappearance of Madeline McCann. (I won't repeat them here, for fear of Taxation becoming the 13th target of his lawyers.)
Given the shockingly irresponsible reporting by Sky, the Mail and Express newspapers, et al, it seems highly unlikely that Mr Murat won't soon be much better off.
The whopping damages that he's likely to receive - his legal team reckons a total of £2 million-plus is not out of the question - will, of course, be tax exempt here in Britain.
But, I wonder, will the revenue service in Portugal demand its cut if Mr Murat continues to be resident in the country?
If there's anyone out there with knowledge of Portuguese tax law, all advice would be welcomed in the Comments section below.
Perhaps the tax advantages of righteous libel case victories will draw Mr Murat back to the UK for good.
Were he to return, several tatty, revenge-seeking newspapers would no doubt attempt to force him back overseas. That would, in all likelihood, lead to more legal action - and more tax-free winnings.
As long as the Portugese taxman leaves him alone, the man can't lose, no?
To return to the blameless Taxation.co.uk, click here.
Mr Murat was the victim of several outrageous lies by shabby hacks, after being named as a formal suspect by Portuguese police investigating the disappearance of Madeline McCann. (I won't repeat them here, for fear of Taxation becoming the 13th target of his lawyers.)
Given the shockingly irresponsible reporting by Sky, the Mail and Express newspapers, et al, it seems highly unlikely that Mr Murat won't soon be much better off.
The whopping damages that he's likely to receive - his legal team reckons a total of £2 million-plus is not out of the question - will, of course, be tax exempt here in Britain.
But, I wonder, will the revenue service in Portugal demand its cut if Mr Murat continues to be resident in the country?
If there's anyone out there with knowledge of Portuguese tax law, all advice would be welcomed in the Comments section below.
Perhaps the tax advantages of righteous libel case victories will draw Mr Murat back to the UK for good.
Were he to return, several tatty, revenge-seeking newspapers would no doubt attempt to force him back overseas. That would, in all likelihood, lead to more legal action - and more tax-free winnings.
As long as the Portugese taxman leaves him alone, the man can't lose, no?
To return to the blameless Taxation.co.uk, click here.
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