Rishi Sunak has sacked Nadhim Zahawi as chairman of the Conservative party after his ethics adviser concluded there had been a “serious breach” of the ministerial code.In a letter published by Downing Street on Sunday morning, the prime minister said that he had intervened in line with his pledge to ensure his government would have “integrity, professionalism and accountability at every level”.Sunak asked Sir Laurie Magnus, the ethics adviser, to investigate Zahawi’s tax affairs on Monday after it emerged that the MP had made a settlement of about £5m to HM Revenue & Customs last summer – including a penalty.“Following the completion of the independent adviser’s investigation — the findings of which he has shared with us both — it is clear that there has been a serious breach of the ministerial code,” Sunak wrote. “As a result, I have informed you of my decision to remove you from your position in his majesty’s government.”Sunak told Zahawi he should be “extremely proud” of his achievements in government in the last five years including his oversight of the Covid-19 vaccination programme. 

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