Tax-raid on bank accounts branded as 'horrifying' by MPs
PLANS for the taxman to raid bank accounts to recover debts were branded “horrifying” yesterday.
MPs rounded on Lin Homer, chief executive of HM Revenue and Customs, after it applied for permission to raid people’s accounts and Isas without external approval.
Tory MP Steve Baker told her at a Treasury Select Committee meeting that he was “horrified” it wanted such draconian powers to deal with a minority.
Lib Dem John Thurso said the audacious move went against the principles of the Magna Carta.
When Ms Homer said HMRC could also take powers to view a year of people’s bank statements, Labour’s George Mudie protested about the “intrusion into lives”.