China News Network, 7 Nov -- Less than two weeks after taking office, the new British Prime Minister Sunak has encountered one incessant trouble. The latest one is in his rich wife, Akshata Murti.
The British "Guardian" revealed on November 4 that a company in which Murthy is a stake is still operating locally since it announced its withdrawal from Russia more than half a year ago. This runs counter to Britain's high-profile slogans of supporting Ukraine and sanctioning Russia.
Founded by Murthy's father, Infosys has more than 300,000 employees and operates in more than 50 countries around the world, making it India's second-largest IT company. Murthy allegedly holds a 0.91% stake in the company, worth £690 million, and earns millions of pounds in dividends a year.
In April, the company said it was closing its offices in Russia, but seven months later, the Guardian discovered that the company had a staffed office in Moscow, the Russian capital, and was still doing business.
To add to Sunak's embarrassment, in March, when he was also Britain's chancellor, he called on British companies to reduce their investments in Russia, urging asset owners and managers to "carefully consider investments that might support Putin in any sense."
As soon as the news came out, Angela Reina, deputy head of the British opposition Labour Party, immediately came out to criticize Sunak, saying that he "failed to handle his own business" when publicizing to others, and it was simply "shameful" that Sunak's family might benefit from business with Russia.
This matter has also caused discussion on the Internet, with some netizens echoing Angela Reina, believing that if Infosys is still operating in Russia, the prime minister's wife should sell her shares.
It was noted that Murthy's stake of less than 1% was insufficient to make decisions, and "I don't think she was involved in the day-to-day operations of the company".
It has also been argued that it is an Indian company that is accountable to Indian shareholders and is "under no obligation to close any business for the sake of British politics".
Some felt it was an "almost undisguised and clever attack" on the prime minister.
Others complained, "Are you saying that Sunak should teach his father-in-law to do things?" ”
This isn't the first time Sunak has gotten into trouble because of Infosys.
Earlier this year, the finances of Sunak and his family came under intense scrutiny. His wife Murthy once used her status as a "non-British tax residence" to avoid paying taxes in the UK, and the amount was huge, causing doubts from all sides. Opposition parties accuse the Sunaks of evading British taxes through special status.
The Independent previously reported that Murthy's dividend income from Infosys in 2021 could exceed £10 million. Under UK law, this income is subject to a 38.1% surtax, or about £4 million.
In the end, the matter ended with Murthy under pressure to stop her overseas income from being taxed in the UK, saying she hoped her tax situation "would not interfere with her husband".