Whitehall's most senior official clarifies Treasury's statement on Labour claim about Sunak's tax row

Simon Case, Whitehall’s most senior official, clarified that Treasury officials never accused Prime Minister Rishi Sunak of lying regarding the disputed claim about Labour Party tax increases. The letter from the Treasury warned that figures should not be presented as produced by the Civil Service. This led to a debate where Rachel Reeves accused the Prime Minister of lying to the public. However, Case emphasized that civil servants were not involved in the production or presentation of the Conservative Party's document on Labour's Tax Rises. The letter from the Treasury highlighted the need for caution in how such figures are presented. Despite the controversy, Rishi Sunak reiterated his commitment to cutting taxes in the Conservative election manifesto. In an interview, he defended the claim about Labour tax increases and criticized possible tax rises under the Labour Party. The disputed figure of £2,094 for average household tax increases was a focal point of the debate, with Sunak standing by its accuracy. The interview with BBC's Nick Robinson also touched on Sunak's absence from a previous event and his plea for forgiveness. The interview concluded with a question about the state of Britain and whether the Conservative Party deserves another term in power. The interviewer highlighted various issues such as healthcare access, public transportation, and environmental concerns. Sunak defended his party's record and emphasized the need for continued tax cuts.