Nadhim Zahawi

Nadim Zahawi was born in a prominent Kurdish family from Baghdad.{{cite news |work=The National News |first=Layla |last=Maghribi | url=https://www.thenationalnews.com/world/uk-news/2022/07/06/who-is-nadhim-zahawi-from-baghdad-boy-to-britains-chancellor/ | title=Who is Nadhim Zahawi? From Baghdad boy to British Chancellor | date=6 July 2022 | access-date=7 July 2022 | archive-date=7 July 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220707114230/https://www.thenationalnews.com/world/uk-news/2022/07/06/who-is-nadhim-zahawi-from-baghdad-boy-to-britains-chancellor/ | url-status=live }} His paternal grandfather was Nadhim al-Zahawi, Governor of the Central Bank of Iraq from 1959 to 1960, and Minister of Trade.{{cite news |title=Who is Nadhim Zahawi? The child-refugee turned multi-millionaire politician facing questions about his taxes |url=https://news.sky.com/story/who-is-nadhim-zahawi-the-child-refugee-turned-multi-millionaire-politician-facing-questions-about-his-taxes-12791994 |website=Sky News |access-date=25 January 2023 |first1=Jennifer |last1=Scott|first2=Megan |last2=Baynes}}{{cite web |title=المحافظين |trans-title=Governors |url=https://cbi.iq/page/49 |website=Central Bank of Iraq |language=ar}} His father is Hareth Nadhim Al Zahawi (born 1942), a British-Iraqi businessman who established the Al-Zahawi Group, which after the United States invasion of 2003 obtained a lucrative contract to provide logistics, cleaning and support services to the new US-led interim government.{{cite news |work=Financial Times |first=Jim |last=Pickard |first2=Raya |last2=Jalabi |first3=Robert |last3=Smith |date=24 January 2023 |title=From Iraqi oilfields to Tory HQ: how Nadhim Zahawi mixed business and Politics |url=https://www.ft.com/content/9a495d3c-8c8e-4938-8075-44644c0ad7eb |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230124200221/https://www.ft.com/content/9a495d3c-8c8e-4938-8075-44644c0ad7eb |archive-date=24 January 2023}} Now known as IPBD ("Iraq Project and Business Development"), its interests have expanded to cover steel manufacturing and property development,{{cite news |newspaper=Guardian |date=4 January 2017 |title=Tory MP Nadhim Zahawi 'closely linked to two tax-haven-based companies' |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2017/jan/04/tory-mp-nadhim-zahawi-tax-haven-balshore-berkford-investments-gibraltar |first=Holly |last=Watt}} and generally "supporting the reconstruction effort".{{cite web |url=http://ipbd.co.uk/about.php |website=Iraq Project & Business Development |title=About IPBD}} Zahawi's father is also a director of Balshore Investments Ltd, Gibraltar.{{cite web|title= Explain links to tax haven firms, Nadhim Zahawi urged|first1=Mario|last1=Ledwith|first2=Steven|last2=Swinford|url=https://www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/article/explain-links-to-tax-haven-firms-nadhim-zahawi-urged-v920z57hp|date=9 July 2022|access-date=12 July 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220709013109/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/explain-links-to-tax-haven-firms-nadhim-zahawi-urged-v920z57hp|archive-date=9 July 2022|website=The Times|url-access=subscription|url-status=live}}

When he was eleven years old, during Saddam Hussein's rise to power, he and his family fled to the UK.{{cite news|last=Merrick|first=Jane|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/nadhim-zahawi-from-a-refugee-on-welfare-to-the-heart-of-no-10-9760085.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220618/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/nadhim-zahawi-from-a-refugee-on-welfare-to-the-heart-of-no-10-9760085.html |archive-date=18 June 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Nadhim Zahawi: From a refugee on welfare to the heart of No 10|work=The Independent|date=27 September 2014|access-date=25 July 2016}} Zahawi was educated at Holland Park School,{{cite news | last=Rocks | first=Chelsea | title=Who is the new Education Secretary, Nadhim Zahawi MP? As Gavin Williamson is axed| website=NationalWorld | date=16 September 2021 | url=https://www.nationalworld.com/news/politics/nadhim-zahawi-mp-who-is-new-uk-education-secretary-and-why-was-gavin-williamson-sacked-in-cabinet-reshuffle-3385259|archive-date=16 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210916135232/https://www.nationalworld.com/news/politics/nadhim-zahawi-mp-who-is-new-uk-education-secretary-and-why-was-gavin-williamson-sacked-in-cabinet-reshuffle-3385259|url-status=live}} before moving to Ibstock Place School and then at King's College School, an independent school in Wimbledon, London. He then studied at University College London, where he earned a BSc degree in chemical engineering in 1988.{{Who's Who | author=| title=Zahawi, Nadhim | id = U249711 | year = 2009 | doi =10.1093/ww/9780199540884.013.U249711 | edition = online |publisher=Oxford University Press|location=Oxford}}{{cite web |url=https://www.ucl.ac.uk/news/2009/sep/ucl-hosts-london-event-mansion-house |title=UCL hosts London event at Mansion House |website=University College London |date=2 September 2009}}

In the 1990s, Zahawi was part owner of a Nuneaton-based licensed clothes manufacturer, Allen (Hinckley) Ltd (formerly known as Pagecomp Ltd). The company produced clothing with licensed designs, ranging from Warner Brothers to World Cup '98 to the Teletubbies. Jeffrey Archer invested six-figure sums in the company and would go on to own one-third of the company. By December 1998, the company had collapsed with millions of debt and the loss of around 100 jobs. In 2010, Zahawi stated: "There's a company I have set up and failed in Allen (Hinckley) Ltd. I don't hide my failures".{{cite news |last1=Reid |first1=Les |title=Chequered business life of would-be Stratford Tory MP Nadhim Zahawi |url=https://www.coventrytelegraph.net/news/local-news/chequered-business-life-would-be-stratford-3067057 |access-date=30 January 2023 |work=Coventry Live |date=18 March 2010 }}

Following a career as European Marketing Director for Smith & Brooks Ltd, Zahawi co-founded YouGov in 2000 with Stephan Shakespeare. Zahawi was YouGov's CEO from 2005 to 2010.{{cite news |title=About Nadhim |date=6 May 2010 |url=http://www.zahawi.com/page.php?page=about |work=Zahawi |publisher=Zahawi.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100426105917/http://www.zahawi.com/page.php?page=about |archive-date=26 April 2010 }}

In 2008, Zahawi became a non-executive director of SThree, a specialist staffing organisation.{{cite web |title=UK – SThree strongly refutes benefitting from political connections |url=https://www2.staffingindustry.com/eng/Editorial/Daily-News/UK-SThree-strongly-refutes-benefitting-from-political-connections-29325 |website=www2.staffingindustry.com |access-date=6 July 2022 |date=13 March 2014 |archive-date=16 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220716190802/https://www2.staffingindustry.com/eng/Editorial/Daily-News/UK-SThree-strongly-refutes-benefitting-from-political-connections-29325 |url-status=live }} He was paid £2,917 per month in 2014. He stepped down from the role in October 2017.{{cite news |last1=Woodings |first1=Simon |title=Nadhim Zahawi now leaves family firm role |url=https://www.stratford-herald.com/news/nadhim-zahawi-now-leaves-family-firm-role-9136299/ |access-date=6 July 2022 |work=Stratford Herald |date=21 January 2018 |archive-date=7 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220707084422/https://www.stratford-herald.com/news/nadhim-zahawi-now-leaves-family-firm-role-9136299/ |url-status=live }}

In November 2013, it was reported by the Birmingham Mail newspaper that in May 2011 (one year after he became an MP) Zahawi used as a mortgage lender Berkford Investments Limited, based in the low-tax British overseas territory of Gibraltar, to finance the purchase of his constituency home 'Oaklands' riding stables estate (worth at the time £875,000) in Upper Tysoe, near Stratford-upon-Avon, in Warwickshire.{{cite news|last1=Reid|first1=Les|title=Warwickshire Tory MP Nadhim Zahawi used firm in tax haven to buy his £1m home|url=http://www.coventrytelegraph.net/news/coventry-news/warwickshire-tory-mp-nadhim-zahawi-6335475|access-date=30 January 2017|work=Coventry Telegraph|date=23 November 2013|archive-date=2 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202135019/http://www.coventrytelegraph.net/news/coventry-news/warwickshire-tory-mp-nadhim-zahawi-6335475|url-status=live}} Berkford Investments Limited is managed by T&T Management Services Limited, whose services include wealth management. Zahawi responded to the news story by saying: "I did pay stamp duty on my property in Tysoe and have always paid stamp duty on my property purchases. I fully support the 2012 budget and all budgets of this government. I purchased my property in Tysoe with a mortgage from a Gibraltar company. This fact and the details involved are fully declared on the Land Registry and to suggest it is in any way hidden would be factually incorrect. Equally, to suggest that in any way I am using offshore to reduce my tax burden is entirely incorrect."

In 2015, he joined Gulf Keystone Petroleum, an oil and gas exploration and production company, as a part-time chief strategy officer.{{cite news |last1=Rankin |first1=Jennifer |title=Tory MP Nadhim Zahawi lands job with oil firm Gulf Keystone |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2015/aug/24/tory-mp-nadhim-zahawi-lands-job-with-oil-firm-gulf-keystone |access-date=6 July 2022 |work=The Guardian |date=24 August 2015 |archive-date=6 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220706100059/https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2015/aug/24/tory-mp-nadhim-zahawi-lands-job-with-oil-firm-gulf-keystone |url-status=live }} For his work between 2015 and 2017 for the company, he was paid a total of at least £1.3 million.{{cite news|url=https://www.ft.com/content/9a495d3c-8c8e-4938-8075-44644c0ad7eb|work=Financial Times|title=From Iraqi oilfields to Tory HQ: how Nadhim Zahawi mixed business and politics|date=24 January 2023|last1=Pickard|first1=Jim|last2=Jalabi|first2=Raya|last3=Smith|first3=Robert}} Zahawi's various roles resulted in him becoming the second highest earning MP in the UK in 2017.{{cite news|date=3 August 2017|title=The richest MPs in Britain based on income|work=Business Insider|url=https://www.businessinsider.com/the-richest-mp-in-terms-of-second-incomes-2017-8|access-date=16 August 2018|archive-date=21 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181021132940/http://uk.businessinsider.com/the-richest-mp-in-terms-of-second-incomes-2017-8#3-kenneth-clarke-conservative-274800-mostly-from-his-autobiography-deal-11|url-status=live}}

The Guardian reported in early 2017 that Zahawi had spent £25 million buying property around London, for both personal and commercial use.{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2017/jan/03/tory-mp-nadhim-zahawi-owns-property-worth-more-than-25m|title=Tory MP Nadhim Zahawi owns property worth more than £25m|last=Watt|first=Holly|date=3 January 2017|work=The Guardian|access-date=12 September 2017|issn=0261-3077|archive-date=12 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170912234344/https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2017/jan/03/tory-mp-nadhim-zahawi-owns-property-worth-more-than-25m|url-status=live}} Zahawi said in response that "My first priority, before anything else, is my constituency work and I would never, or have never, let anything get in the way of this."

In May 2024, he became the Non Executive Chairman of The Very Group.{{Cite web |title=Advice Letter: Nadhim Zahawi, Non Executive Chairman, The Very Group |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/zahawi-nadhim-minister-without-portfolio-acoba-advice/advice-letter-nadhim-zahawi-non-executive-chairman-the-very-group |access-date=2025-01-14 |website=GOV.UK |language=en}}

In July 2022, it was reported that despite being one of the two key founders of YouGov, Zahawi was issued no founder shares in the company. Instead, he arranged for the founder shares that would have gone to him to go to a Gibraltar company owned by an offshore trust controlled by his parents.{{cite news | last=Stewart | first=Heather | title=Labour challenges Nadhim Zahawi over tax and £26m business loan | work=The Guardian | date=18 July 2022 | url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2022/jul/18/labour-challenges-nadhim-zahawi-over-tax-and-26m-business-loan}} Zahawi denied that this was motivated by tax avoidance.{{cite news |title=Spotlight on Nadhim Zahawi over personal finances after tax investigations surface |date=14 July 2022 |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/nadhim-zahawi-finances-wealth-tax-b2120511.html |work=Independent |access-date=14 July 2022 |archive-date=14 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220714134008/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/nadhim-zahawi-finances-wealth-tax-b2120511.html |url-status=live }} He instructed libel lawyers to seek a withdrawal of allegations by tax lawyer Dan Neidle that one of Zahawi's denials of tax avoidance was based on a lie.{{cite web |title=The Chancellor's secret libel letters |date=22 July 2022 |url=https://www.taxpolicy.org.uk/2022/07/22/letters/ |publisher=Tax Policy Associates |access-date=22 July 2022 |archive-date=23 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220723084607/https://www.taxpolicy.org.uk/2022/07/22/letters/ |url-status=live }}[https://www.thetimes.com/article/2eecb8d2-0a5b-11ed-8c31-545bf77a6173?shareToken=a1308e5ba7759fdea119b0891bd03d20 Nadhim Zahawi sends 'threatening' letters to online tax critic] . The Times. 23 July 2022. Retrieved 23 July 2022. When asked about his taxes during the 2022 Conservative leadership contest, Zahawi said that he was being smeared.{{cite news |last1=Mason |first1=Rowena |date=15 January 2023 |title=Nadhim Zahawi to pay millions in tax after dispute over family finances |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2023/jan/15/nadhim-zahawi-to-pay-millions-in-tax-after-dispute-over-family-finances |access-date=19 January 2023}}

In January 2023, The Guardian was told Zahawi agreed to pay a penalty to HMRC in relation to his tax affairs.{{cite news |last1=Isaac |first1=Anna |date=20 January 2023 |title=Nadhim Zahawi 'agreed on penalty' to settle tax bill worth millions |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2023/jan/20/nadhim-zahawi-agreed-on-penalty-to-settle-tax-bill-worth-millions |access-date=20 January 2023}} In a statement, Zahawi said HMRC accepted that an error in his tax affairs was "careless and not deliberate". He stated: "HMRC agreed with my accountants that I have never set up an offshore structure, including Balshore Investments, and that I am not the beneficiary of Balshore Investments."{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-64360260|title=Nadhim Zahawi: Tax error was careless and not deliberate|date=21 January 2023|work=BBC News}} Jim Harra, chief executive of HMRC, while unable to speak about an individual's confidential tax affairs, told the Public Accounts Committee that "carelessness is a concept in tax law"; if an "error was as a result of carelessness, then legislation says that a penalty could apply in those circumstances", but that HMRC would not penalise taxpayers who it was felt had taken reasonable care: "There are no penalties for innocent errors in your tax affairs."[https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2023/jan/26/hmrc-boss-tells-mps-innocent-errors-dont-attract-penalties-after-nadhim-zahawi-tax-row HMRC boss tells MPs 'innocent errors' are not penalised, amid Zahawi tax row] The Guardian. 26 January 2023 According to The Guardian Zahawi paid a seven-figure penalty to HMRC over tax irregularities.{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2023/jan/20/nadhim-zahawi-agreed-on-penalty-to-settle-tax-bill-worth-millions|work=The Guardian|title=Nadhim Zahawi 'agreed on penalty' to settle tax bill worth millions|last=Isaac|first=Anna|date=20 January 2023|accessdate=21 January 2023}}

Prem Sikka, a Labour member of the House of Lords and an emeritus accounting professor at Essex University and Sheffield University, said of an unsecured loan of about £30m shown by accounts to have been given to Zahawi's wife's UK property company, Zahawi & Zahawi: "There has been no explanation in the accounts of who provided these loans. Given the concern over Mr Zahawi's tax affairs we now need further clarity. The ethics adviser should be looking at these matters too". Dan Neidle, a tax lawyer, said he found the large unsecured loans incredible and he was concerned that the public do not know who gave the loans.[https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2023/jan/26/nadhim-zahawi-faces-questions-over-source-of-30m-unsecured-loans-to-wifes-property-company Nadhim Zahawi faces questions over source of £30m unsecured loans to wife's property company] The Guardian. 26 January 2023

In 1991, Zahawi and fellow British-Kurd Broosk Saib{{cite web|date=8 January 2011|title=Weekender: Broosk Saib, interior designer, 48 {{!}} Fashion|url=http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2011/jan/08/weekender-broosk-saib-interior-designer|access-date=30 September 2021|website=The Guardian|archive-date=30 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210930153059/https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2011/jan/08/weekender-broosk-saib-interior-designer|url-status=live}} were aides to Conservative politician Jeffrey Archer during Archer's "Simple Truth" campaign to help Kurdish victims of the Gulf War.{{cite news|date=16 August 2001|title=Archer fraud allegations: the simple truth|work=The Guardian|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2001/aug/16/qanda.politics|access-date=13 July 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220427100741/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2001/aug/16/qanda.politics|archive-date=27 April 2022|first=Matthew|last= Tempest|location=London|url-status=live}} Zahawi and Saib were nicknamed "Lemon kurd" and "Bean kurd" by Archer. In 1994 Archer helped campaign for Zahawi for a seat on Wandsworth council. Zahawi also ran Archer's unsuccessful campaign for Mayor of London in 1998.{{cite journal

|date=25 June 2010

|title=In the City

|pages=8

|journal=Private Eye

|issue=1265

|publisher=Pressdram Ltd

|location=London

}}

Zahawi was elected as a Conservative councillor in Putney{{cite web|url=http://www.politics.co.uk/reference/nadhim-zahawi|title=Nadhim Zahawi|work=politics.co.uk|access-date=30 January 2017|archive-date=8 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160808082921/http://www.politics.co.uk/reference/nadhim-zahawi|url-status=live}} in the London Borough of Wandsworth, where he served three terms from 1994 to 2006.

At the 1997 general election, Zahawi stood as the Conservative candidate in Erith and Thamesmead, coming second with 20.2% of the vote behind the Labour candidate John Austin.{{cite web |title=Election Data 1997 |url=http://www.electoralcalculus.co.uk/electdata_1997.txt |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111015054424/http://www.electoralcalculus.co.uk/electdata_1997.txt |archive-date=15 October 2011 |access-date=18 October 2015 |publisher=Electoral Calculus}}

In February 2010, Zahawi was selected by the local Conservative Association in Stratford-on-Avon as their prospective parliamentary candidate for the 2010 general election.{{cite news |last1=Whitworth |first1=Damian |last2=Baldwin |first2=Tom |last3=Whipple |first3=Tom |last4=Mellits |first4=Josh |last5=Marshall |first5=Tom |last6=Raphiann |first6=Dilan |title='Gay, female or whatever' — the fresh and not so fresh faces of the Tory facelift |work=The Times |issue=69880 |date=25 February 2010 |pages=20–21}} At the general election, Zahawi was elected to Parliament as MP for Stratford-on-Avon with 51.5% of the vote and a majority of 11,346.{{cite web |title=Election Data 2010 |url=http://www.electoralcalculus.co.uk/electdata_2010.txt |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130726162034/http://www.electoralcalculus.co.uk/electdata_2010.txt |archive-date=26 July 2013 |access-date=17 October 2015 |publisher=Electoral Calculus}}{{cite web |date=7 May 2010 |title=UK > England > West Midlands > Stratford-on-Avon |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/election2010/results/constituency/e52.stm |access-date=12 May 2010 |work=Election 2010 |publisher=BBC}}

In October 2013, Zahawi became a member of the Number 10 Policy Unit.{{cite news|url=http://blogs.spectator.co.uk/coffeehouse/2013/10/new-number-10-policy-board-announced/|title=New Number 10 policy board announced|work=The Spectator|first=Isabel|last=Hardman|date=15 October 2013|access-date=19 November 2013|archive-date=5 January 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140105195313/http://blogs.spectator.co.uk/coffeehouse/2013/10/new-number-10-policy-board-announced/|url-status=live}} Later in October, Zahawi and fellow member of the Business, Innovation and Skills Committee interviewed Lazard, the Government's independent adviser on the sale of Royal Mail. Shares quickly rose to £5 following flotation at £3.30 and the Financial Times claimed that two investment banks had warned that it was underpriced.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-24592377|title=Royal Mail 'underpriced, two investment banks warned'|work=BBC News|date=19 October 2013|access-date=19 November 2013|archive-date=22 October 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131022073320/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-24592377|url-status=live}}

In November 2013, Zahawi apologised after it was reported that he had claimed expenses for electricity used to run the stables on his private estate.{{cite news |title=Tory MP Nadhim Zahawi admits taxpayers paid power bill for his stables |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2013/nov/10/nadhim-zahawi-admits-taxpayers-electricity-stables |access-date=25 September 2022 |work=The Guardian |date=10 November 2013}}

In 2015, while still a member of the Business Select Committee, Zahawi directed a "tough line of questioning" at Post Office CEO Paula Vennells over the subpostmasters mediation scheme, describing her handling of it as "a shambles".{{cite web |title=Parliament Select Committee Oral Evidence |url=https://committees.parliament.uk/oralevidence/4526/html/}}{{cite web |title=Parliamentlive.tv |url=https://www.parliamentlive.tv/Event/Index/d05cb9e7-04d0-4d05-8a43-ddd74b1eecc0 |access-date=6 January 2024 |website=www.parliamentlive.tv}} As a result of his questioning, he later gained a cameo appearance, playing himself in the 2024 ITV drama Mr Bates vs The Post Office.{{cite web |title=Why is Nadhim Zahawi in Mr Bates vs The Post Office? Cameo explained |url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/drama/nadhim-zahawi-mr-bates-post-office-cameo-explained/ |access-date=6 January 2024 |website=Radio Times }}{{cite news |title=Tory MP Nadhim Zahawi plays himself in ITV drama Mr Bates vs the Post Office |date=3 January 2024 |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/tv/culture/itv-mr-bates-post-office-zahawi-b2472746.html |access-date=6 January 2024 }}

Zahawi was re-elected as MP for Stratford-on-Avon at the 2015 general election with an increased vote share of 57.7% and an increased majority of 22,876.{{cite web |title=Election Data 2015 |url=http://www.electoralcalculus.co.uk/electdata_2015.txt |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151017112223/http://www.electoralcalculus.co.uk/electdata_2015.txt |archive-date=17 October 2015 |access-date=17 October 2015 |publisher=Electoral Calculus}}

Zahawi is vice-chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Kurdistan Region in Iraq,{{cite web|title = House of Commons – Register of All-Party Groups as at 30 July 2015 : Kurdistan Region in Iraq|url = https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm/cmallparty/register/kurdistan-region-in-iraq.htm|website = www.publications.parliament.uk|access-date = 6 December 2015|archive-date = 21 November 2015|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20151121002922/http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm/cmallparty/register/kurdistan-region-in-iraq.htm|url-status = live}} which receives secretarial support from Gulf Keystone Petroleum International, an oil company of which Zahawi was Chief Strategy Officer.{{cite web|title=Nadhim Zahawi|url=https://www.theyworkforyou.com/mp/24822/nadhim_zahawi/stratford-on-avon|access-date=6 December 2015|website=TheyWorkForYou|archive-date=8 December 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208091411/http://www.theyworkforyou.com/mp/24822/nadhim_zahawi/stratford-on-avon|url-status=live}} Concerns were raised about how MPs' independence might be compromised by such links between APPGs and private companies, and specifically about how Zahawi's connections with the oil industry affect his role as MP.{{cite news|title = Kurdistan delegation led by millionaire Tory raises questions|url = https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/kurdistan-delegation-led-by-tory-millionaire-nadhim-zahawi-raises-concerns-that-mps-will-be-9359279.html|work = The Independent|access-date = 6 December 2015|date = 12 May 2014|archive-date = 29 September 2019|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190929001832/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/kurdistan-delegation-led-by-tory-millionaire-nadhim-zahawi-raises-concerns-that-mps-will-be-9359279.html|url-status = live}}{{cite news|title = Corporate funding of all‑party groups 'next big scandal' after huge|url = https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/corporate-funding-of-all-party-groups-next-big-scandal-after-huge-rise-under-the-coalition-9391286.html|work = The Independent|access-date = 6 December 2015|date = 18 May 2014|archive-date = 4 March 2016|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160304080406/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/corporate-funding-of-all-party-groups-next-big-scandal-after-huge-rise-under-the-coalition-9391286.html|url-status = live}}{{cite news|title = Slick work brings in the cash for Tory MP Nadhim Zahawi|url = https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/andy-mcsmiths-diary-slick-work-brings-in-the-cash-for-tory-mp-nadhim-zahawi-a6730926.html|website = The Independent – Diary|access-date = 6 December 2015|date = 11 November 2015|archive-date = 4 March 2016|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160304085019/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/andy-mcsmiths-diary-slick-work-brings-in-the-cash-for-tory-mp-nadhim-zahawi-a6730926.html|url-status = live}}

He backed Britain's withdrawal from the European Union, arguing that the European Union will never be willing to change its rules and that the United Kingdom should take back control over a variety of issues.{{cite news|url=https://www.conservativehome.com/thecolumnists/2016/02/nadhim-zahawi-mp-why-i-have-decided-to-vote-for-britain-to-leave-the-eu.html|title=Why I have decided to vote for Britain to leave the EU|first=Nadhim|last=Zahawi |work=Conservative Home|date=22 February 2016|access-date=12 September 2017|archive-date=12 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170912191238/https://www.conservativehome.com/thecolumnists/2016/02/nadhim-zahawi-mp-why-i-have-decided-to-vote-for-britain-to-leave-the-eu.html|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/nadhim-zahawi/brexit-eu-referendum_b_12210314.html|title=We All Know What Brexit Means|website=HuffPost UK|access-date=12 September 2017|date=27 September 2016|archive-date=6 July 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220706062415/https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/nadhim-zahawi/brexit-eu-referendum_b_12210314.html|url-status=live}}

At the snap 2017 general election, Zahawi was again re-elected, with an increased vote share of 62.2% and a decreased majority of 20,958.{{cite web |date=11 May 2017 |title=Candidates confirmed for General Election |url=https://www.stratford-herald.com/70402-candidates-confirmed-for-general-election.html |access-date=12 May 2017 |publisher=Stratford-upon-Avon Herald}}

File:Rick Perry and Nadhim Zahawi in September 2019.jpg in 2019]]

Following the 2018 cabinet reshuffle, Zahawi was appointed by Theresa May as Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Department for Education. On 26 July 2019 he was appointed Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Industry by new Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

During the time he was on the Foreign Affairs Select Committee he was also chairman of the secretive transatlantic group Le Cercle but did not declare his membership.{{cite news |last1=Johnston |first1=John |date=22 July 2019 |title=EXCL Top Tories face questions over links to secretive foreign affairs group |url=https://www.politicshome.com/news/uk/political-parties/conservative-party/news/105448/excl-top-tories-face-questions-over-links |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191106160933/https://www.politicshome.com/news/uk/political-parties/conservative-party/news/105448/excl-top-tories-face-questions-over-links |archive-date=6 November 2019 |access-date=6 November 2019 |work=PoliticsHome}} In 2019 a member of his staff was listed as an administrator of Le Cercle in the Parliamentary Register of interests.{{cite web |title=House of Commons – Register Of Interests Of Members' Secretaries And Research Assistants as at 18 October 2019: D'Ambra, L to Henderson, N |url=https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm/cmsecret/staff-02.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191106160357/https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm/cmsecret/staff-02.htm |archive-date=6 November 2019 |access-date=6 November 2019 |website=publications.parliament.uk}}

Zahawi was again re-elected at the 2019 general election, with a decreased vote share of 60.6% and a decreased majority of 19,972.{{cite news |title=Stratford-on-Avon Parliamentary constituency |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/politics/constituencies/E14000977 |access-date=30 November 2019 |website=BBC News |publisher=BBC}}

In October 2020, Zahawi was accused by Labour MP Tulip Siddiq of misleadingly suggesting that research from a holiday food and activities club pilot scheme had shown parents "actually prefer to pay a modest amount, £1 or £2", instead of receiving free school meals, in a debate over extending free school meals during school holidays.{{cite web|url=https://schoolsweek.co.uk/no-evidence-nadhim-zahawi-free-school-meals-misleading/|title=No evidence for claim parents prefer to pay for meals|first=Freddie|last=Whittaker|date=22 October 2020|website=Schools Week|access-date=26 January 2021|archive-date=8 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308130734/https://schoolsweek.co.uk/no-evidence-nadhim-zahawi-free-school-meals-misleading/|url-status=live}}

On 1 April 2023, he was re-selected for Stratford Upon Avon at the 2024 general election.{{cite news |date=1 April 2023 |title=Nadhim Zahawi re-selected as Stratford-upon-Avon candidate |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-coventry-warwickshire-65148347 |access-date=1 April 2023}} On 9 May 2024, Zahawi announced his retirement at the next election. {{Cite news |date=2024-05-09 |title=Nadhim Zahawi to stand down as Conservative MP at election |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-68982016 |access-date=2024-05-23 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB}}

Zahawi became the first Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for COVID-19 Vaccine Deployment in November 2020.{{cite news|title=Restrictions eased once 'top 4 cohorts' protected|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-55705494|access-date=19 January 2021|archive-date=18 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210118162803/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-55705494|url-status=live}} In December 2020, Zahawi stated that over 137,000 people in the UK had received a coronavirus vaccine in the first week of the UK's vaccination programme, with Zahawi describing it as a "really good start".{{cite news|url=https://news.sky.com/story/coronavirus-vaccine-137-000-people-in-uk-get-covid-jab-in-first-week-12163995|title=Coronavirus vaccine: 137,000 people in UK get COVID jab in first week|date=16 December 2020|work=Sky News|access-date=24 July 2021|archive-date=24 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210724015237/https://news.sky.com/story/coronavirus-vaccine-137-000-people-in-uk-get-covid-jab-in-first-week-12163995|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/health-55332242|title=Covid vaccine: More than 130,000 vaccinated in UK in first week|date=16 December 2020|work=BBC News|access-date=24 July 2021|archive-date=24 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210724015414/https://www.bbc.com/news/health-55332242|url-status=live}} A 90-year-old woman from the UK became the first person in the world to be given the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine on 8 December 2020.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-55227325|title=Covid-19 vaccine: First person receives Pfizer jab in UK|date=8 December 2020|work=BBC News|access-date=24 July 2021|archive-date=8 December 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201208085313/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-55227325|url-status=live}} On 14 February 2021, Zahawi said that at least 15 million people in the UK had had their first COVID-19 vaccine.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-56062976|title=Covid-19: More than 15 million in UK have first vaccine jab – Nadhim Zahawi|date=14 February 2021|work=BBC News|access-date=14 February 2021|archive-date=14 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210214150509/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-56062976|url-status=live}} In January 2022, after he had left this role, Zahawi tested positive for COVID-19.{{cite news |last1=Stephens |first1=Max |last2=Sheridan |first2=Danielle |title=Liz Truss and Nadhim Zahawi test positive for Covid-19 just hours apart |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2022/01/31/liz-truss-nadhim-zahawi-test-positive-covid-19-just-hours-apart/ |access-date=4 February 2022 |work=The Telegraph |date=31 January 2022 |archive-date=4 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220204175007/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2022/01/31/liz-truss-nadhim-zahawi-test-positive-covid-19-just-hours-apart/ |url-status=live }}

In February 2021, Zahawi said there were no plans to introduce vaccine passports to travel abroad, describing them as "discriminatory". He said people could talk to their doctor if they needed written evidence to travel.{{cite news|date=7 February 2021|title=Covid: Minister rules out vaccine passports in UK|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/55970801|access-date=21 July 2021|archive-date=20 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210720132145/https://www.bbc.com/news/55970801|url-status=live}}{{cite AV media|date=7 February 2021|title=UK has no plans to introduce Covid vaccine passports|first=Nadhim|last=Zahawi|type=Video|via=The Guardian|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/video/2021/feb/07/nadhim-zahawi-uk-has-no-plans-to-introduce-covid-vaccine-passports-video|archive-date=21 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210721122434/https://www.theguardian.com/world/video/2021/feb/07/nadhim-zahawi-uk-has-no-plans-to-introduce-covid-vaccine-passports-video|url-status=live}} In July 2021, the government announced plans to introduce domestic COVID-19 vaccine passports from September as a condition of entry to nightclubs and some other venues with large crowds.{{cite news |title=Covid: Vaccine passport plan for nightclubs 'concerning' |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-manchester-57890847 |access-date=23 July 2021 |work=BBC News |date=20 July 2021 |archive-date=23 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210723002212/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-manchester-57890847 |url-status=live }}

On 15 September 2021, Zahawi became Secretary of State for Education in a cabinet reshuffle, replacing Gavin Williamson.{{cite news |title=Nadhim Zahawi announced as education secretary |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-58573066 |access-date=15 September 2021 |work=BBC News |date=15 September 2021 |archive-date=15 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210915151212/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-58573066 |url-status=live }}

Zahawi was sworn in as a member of the Privy Council of the United Kingdom on 20 September 2021 at Balmoral Castle.{{cite web |title=Orders Approved and Business Transacted at the Privy Council Held By The Queen at Balmoral on 20th September 2021 |url=https://privycouncil.independent.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/2021-09-20-List-of-Business.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211123155453/https://privycouncil.independent.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/2021-09-20-List-of-Business.pdf |archive-date=23 November 2021 |access-date=23 November 2021 |website=Privy Council Office}} This entitled him to the honorific prefix "The Right Honourable" for the duration of his membership.

File:Nadhim Zahawi (cop26 2126) (51656804388).jpg in 2021]]

During the COP26 conference in 2021, Zahawi announced a youth award scheme to tackle climate change, similar to The Duke of Edinburgh's Awards. Pupils will be encouraged to boost the biodiversity of their schools by taking initiatives such as erecting bird feeders. Young people will be given a new Climate Leader's Award for any positive work on protecting the environment, with a nationwide ceremony held each year.{{cite web|title=COP26: Duke of Edinburgh-style scheme to reward pupils for climate action – as Thunberg prepares to join Glasgow strike|url=https://news.sky.com/story/cop26-duke-of-edinburgh-style-scheme-to-reward-pupils-for-climate-action-as-thunberg-prepares-to-join-glasgow-strike-12460069|access-date=5 November 2021|website=Sky News|archive-date=5 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211105103034/https://news.sky.com/story/cop26-duke-of-edinburgh-style-scheme-to-reward-pupils-for-climate-action-as-thunberg-prepares-to-join-glasgow-strike-12460069|url-status=live}}{{cite news|last=Sleator|first=Laurence|title=Duke of Edinburgh-style youth award scheme tackles climate change|newspaper=The Times |url=https://www.thetimes.com/article/duke-of-edinburgh-style-youth-award-scheme-tackles-climate-change-dcpkkn2qn|access-date=5 November 2021|issn=0140-0460|archive-date=5 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211105103034/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/duke-of-edinburgh-style-youth-award-scheme-tackles-climate-change-dcpkkn2qn|url-status=live}}

In 2022, Zahawi drew up guidance on how to accommodate transgender pupils with input from Suella Braverman, the then attorney-general. He suggested that schools could allow, for example, children to use lavatories and changing facilities of their gender identity if it differs from their biological sex only when they are not in use by others. Braverman, however, disagreed with the idea.{{cite news |editor-last=Swinford |editor-first=Steven |title=Teachers should not pander to trans pupils, says Suella Braverman |url=https://www.thetimes.com/article/teachers-should-not-pander-to-trans-pupils-says-suella-braverman-2qfgj70rv |work=The Times |date=27 May 2022 |access-date=11 June 2022 |archive-date=11 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220611064202/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/teachers-should-not-pander-to-trans-pupils-says-suella-braverman-2qfgj70rv |url-status=live }} Zahawi also criticised a school where a female pupil had critically questioned a speaker after a talk on transphobia in October 2021. The girl was later subjected to swearing and spitting by her peers and had to leave the school, without completing her A-levels. Zahawi called the incident "hugely concerning" and "unacceptable".{{cite news |last1=Beal |first1=James |title=Nadhim Zahawi backs schoolgirl forced out after trans row |url=https://www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/article/nadhim-zahawi-backs-schoolgirl-forced-out-after-trans-row-jwwz22z8n |work=The Times |date=19 May 2022 |access-date=11 June 2022 |archive-date=7 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220607043831/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/nadhim-zahawi-backs-schoolgirl-forced-out-after-trans-row-jwwz22z8n |url-status=live }}

He was promoted to Chancellor of the Exchequer on 5 July 2022 following the resignation of Rishi Sunak earlier that day.{{cite news |url=https://news.sky.com/story/nadhim-zahawi-made-chancellor-after-rishi-sunak-resigns-as-steve-barclay-replaces-sajid-javid-as-health-secretary-12646552 |title=Nadhim Zahawi made chancellor after Rishi Sunak resigns as Steve Barclay replaces Sajid Javid as health secretary |date=5 July 2022 |access-date=5 July 2022 |work=Sky News |archive-date=6 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220706062414/https://news.sky.com/story/nadhim-zahawi-made-chancellor-after-rishi-sunak-resigns-as-steve-barclay-replaces-sajid-javid-as-health-secretary-12646552 |url-status=live }} Prior to his appointment, officials of the Cabinet Office's propriety and ethics team had alerted the prime minister of a HMRC "flag" concerning Zahawi's tax affairs. When The Guardian reported on this four days after this appointment, a spokesperson for the chancellor said all his "financial interests have been properly and transparently declared".{{cite news |last1=Savage |first1=Michael |last2=Ungoed-Thomas |first2=Jon |title=Revealed: officials raised 'flag' over Nadhim Zahawi's tax affairs before he was appointed chancellor |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2022/jul/09/revealed-officials-raised-flag-over-nadim-zahawis-tax-affairs-before-he-was-appointed-chancellor |access-date=20 January 2023|work=The Guardian|date=9 July 2022}}

The day following his promotion, members of the Cabinet, including Zahawi and Home Secretary Priti Patel, had gathered inside 10 Downing Street to call on Johnson to resign.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-62065534|title=Boris Johnson vows to keep going amid pressure from ministers|website=BBC News|date=6 July 2022|access-date=6 July 2022|archive-date=6 July 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220706120259/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-62065534|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/uk-politics-62048657|title=LIVE: Cabinet ministers in No 10 as calls grow for Johnson to go|website=BBC News|date=6 July 2022|access-date=6 July 2022|archive-date=5 July 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220705170956/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/uk-politics-62048657|url-status=live}} Zahawi called for Johnson's resignation in the morning of 7 July 2022, despite previously supporting Johnson and accepting an appointment as Chancellor less than 48 hours earlier.{{cite news |last1=Edgar |first1=Bill |title=New Chancellor calls on Boris Johnson to resign just days after he was appointed |url=https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/20262114.chancellor-nadhim-zahawi-calls-boris-johnston-resign/ |access-date=7 July 2022 |work=The Northern Echo |date=7 July 2022 |archive-date=7 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220707190258/https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/20262114.chancellor-nadhim-zahawi-calls-boris-johnston-resign/ |url-status=live }} Zahawi said he had told Johnson that "the country deserves a government that is not only stable, but which acts with integrity. Prime Minister, you know in your heart what the right thing to do is, and go now."{{cite web |date=7 July 2022 |title=Boris Johnson resigns; Tom Tugendhat confirms his candidacy as successor – as it happened |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/live/2022/jul/07/boris-johnson-latest-resignations-today-conservatives-uk-politics-live |access-date=23 October 2022 |website=The Guardian}}

File:NZ4PM.png

On 9 July 2022, Zahawi announced his candidacy in the July 2022 Conservative Party leadership election saying he planned to "steady the ship and to stabilise the economy" by reviving low-tax Thatcherism.{{cite news|date=9 July 2022|title=Boris Johnson resignation: Zahawi and Shapps enter Tory leadership race|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-62109243|access-date=10 July 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220709185112/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-62109243|archive-date=9 July 2022|first1=Adam|last1=Durbin|first2=Jo|last2=Couzens|url-status=live}} Former Northern Ireland Secretary Brandon Lewis endorsed him stating he "delivers and gets things done".{{cite web|title=Nadhim Zahawi joins Tory leadership race with a bid to revive low-tax Thatcherism|work=The Telegraph|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2022/07/09/nadhim-zahawi-joins-tory-leadership-race-bid-revive-low-tax/|access-date=9 July 2022|date=9 July 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220709174359/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2022/07/09/nadhim-zahawi-joins-tory-leadership-race-bid-revive-low-tax/|archive-date=9 July 2022|first=Nick|last=Gutteridge|issn=0307-1235|url-access=subscription|url-status=live}}

While taking part in the leadership contest Zahawi was alleged to be under investigation by HMRC after an inquiry was initially launched in 2020 by the National Crime Agency. In response, Zahawi denied being aware that he was under investigation by the Serious Fraud Squad, the National Crime Agency and HMRC{{cite news |last1=Pickard |first1=Jim |last2=McDougall |first2=Mary |title=Questions swirl around tax affairs of former British chancellor |url=https://www.ft.com/content/e621ac0e-8aeb-4216-b506-d244a28f3e97 |access-date=20 January 2023 |work=Financial Times |date=18 January 2023}}{{cite news |last1=Walters |first1=Simon |last2=Isaac |first2=Anna |title=Chancellor Nadhim Zahawi's tax affairs under investigation by HMRC |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/chancellor-nadhim-zahawi-tax-investigation-hmrc-b2119590.html |access-date=20 January 2023 |work=The Independent |date=9 July 2022}} and said he was being smeared.

On 13 July 2022, Zahawi was eliminated from the contest after failing to secure the support of 30 MPs required to reach the next round.{{cite news|date=13 July 2022|title=Nadhim Zahawi and Jeremy Hunt eliminated from Tory leadership race|work=ITV News|url=https://www.itv.com/news/2022-07-13/nadhim-zahawi-and-jeremy-hunt-eliminated-from-tory-leadership-race|access-date=13 July 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220713195010/https://www.itv.com/news/2022-07-13/nadhim-zahawi-and-jeremy-hunt-eliminated-from-tory-leadership-race|archive-date=13 July 2022|url-status=live}} He later endorsed Liz Truss in the election.{{cite news |last=Riley-Smith |first=Ben |date=31 July 2022 |title=Nadhim Zahawi: Vote for 'booster' Liz Truss over 'doomster' Rishi |work=The Telegraph |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2022/07/31/nadhim-zahawi-vote-booster-liz-truss-doomster-rishi/ |access-date=3 August 2022 |issn=0307-1235}}

Following Truss's resignation in October 2022 Zahawi initially announced his support for Boris Johnson's leadership bid, stating "I'm backing Boris. He got the big calls right…Britain needs him back. We need to unite to deliver on our manifesto".{{cite news |author=|date=23 October 2022 |title=The MPs who flip-flopped on Boris Johnson within three months |work=The Telegraph |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2022/10/23/mps-who-flip-flopped-boris-johnson-within-three-months/ |access-date=23 October 2022 |issn=0307-1235}} Minutes after Johnson announced he would not be running, The Telegraph published an article from Zahawi entitled "Get ready for Boris 2.0, the man who will make the Tories and Britain great again".{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2022/10/23/get-ready-boris-20-man-who-will-make-tories-britain-great/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221023201722/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2022/10/23/get-ready-boris-20-man-who-will-make-tories-britain-great/|title=Get ready for Boris 2.0, the man who will make the Tories and Britain great again|work=The Telegraph|first=Nadhim |last=Zahawi|date=23 October 2022|accessdate=25 October 2022|archivedate=23 October 2022}} The article was subsequently deleted and hours later, Zahawi announced he was backing Rishi Sunak.{{cite tweet |first=Nadhim|last=Zahawi|user=nadhimzahawi|number=1584280847141638144 |date=23 October 2022 |title=... we should turn to RishiSunak to become our next Prime Minister|location=|link=no}}

On 6 September 2022, under the new Truss Ministry, Zahawi was replaced by Kwasi Kwarteng as Chancellor and instead appointed Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, Minister for Equalities (Government Equalities Office) and Minister for Intergovernmental Relations (Cabinet Office).{{cite web |title=Ministerial Appointments September - October 2022 |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/ministerial-appointments-september-2022 |website=Gov.UK |date=10 October 2022 |access-date=13 February 2023}}

Zahawi was replaced in the Sunak Ministry as Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster by Oliver Dowden on 25 October 2022.{{cite web |title=Ministerial Appointments October - November 2022 |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/ministerial-appointments-25-october-2022 |website=Gov.UK |date=24 November 2022 |access-date=13 February 2023}}

On 25 October 2022, Zahawi was made Chairman of the Conservative Party and minister without portfolio upon Rishi Sunak becoming prime minister.{{cite tweet |author=UK Prime Minister|user=10DowningStreet |number=1584931875965251585 |date=25 October 2022 |title=The Rt Hon Nadhim Zahawi MP has been appointed Minister without Portfolio|location=|link=}}{{cite tweet |author=Conservatives|user=Conservatives|number=1584932791493758976 |date=25 October 2022 |title=NEW: Nadhim Zahawi has been appointed Conservatives Party Chairman|location=|link=no}}

In December 2022, Zahawi said nurses should call off their strikes and pay demands because it risked playing into the hands of Vladimir Putin, who he said, wanted to fuel inflation. He called on unions representing nurses and other medical workers to enter into talks – though the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) said that it was government ministers who were refusing to open any negotiations over the NHS pay deal.{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2022/dec/04/striking-uk-workers-playing-into-putins-hands-says-zahawi|title=Tory chairman's 'NHS strikes help Putin' claim dismissed as 'ludicrous'|date=4 December 2022|work=The Guardian}}

Zahawi's tax arrangements attracted further public attention in January 2023.{{cite web |title=Worse than careless? The Zahawi cover-up.|url=https://www.taxpolicy.org.uk/2023/01/24/coverup/ |website=Tax Policy Associates |access-date=29 January 2023}} This led to widespread review of statements that he had made and his correspondence with investigating journalists. The Prime Minister asked Laurie Magnus, the Independent Adviser on Ministers' Interests, to investigate Zahawi's personal financial arrangements and declarations. The report identified seven breaches of the Ministerial Code and was published on 29 January 2023.{{cite web |title=Letter from Sir Laurie Magnus to the Prime Minister, 29 January 2023 |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/advice-from-the-independent-adviser-on-ministers-interests-january-2023/letter-from-sir-laurie-magnus-to-the-prime-minister-29-january-2023--2 |website=GOV.UK |access-date=29 January 2023}} The Prime Minister dismissed Zahawi immediately, following the report from the Independent Adviser.{{cite web |title=Letter from the Prime Minister to the Rt Hon Nadhim Zahawi, 29 January 2023 |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/advice-from-the-independent-adviser-on-ministers-interests-january-2023/letter-from-the-prime-minister-to-the-rt-hon-nadhim-zahawi-29-january-2023 |website=GOV.UK |access-date=29 January 2023}}{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-64444265|title=Nadhim Zahawi committed a serious breach of ministerial code, says Sunak|date=29 January 2023|work=BBC News}} Zahawi's reply did not mention the breaches or contain an apology for them.{{cite news |title=Zahawi sacking letters in full |work=BBC News |date=29 January 2023 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-64444315 |access-date=29 January 2023}}

Zahawi failed to declare the HMRC investigation to his permanent secretary, and failed to disclose it in his ministerial declaration of interests. He also failed to disclose it to Prime Ministers Boris Johnson, Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak. In July 2022, Zahawi had said publicly "There have been news stories over the last few days which are inaccurate, unfair and are clearly smears." He did not correct this until January 2023. Magnus found this "inconsistent with the requirement for openness" on ministers.{{cite web |date=29 January 2023 |title=How we got here: events leading up to Nadhim Zahawi's sacking for breaching ministerial code |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2023/jan/29/seven-occasions-when-nadhim-zahawi-broke-the-ministerial-code |access-date=29 January 2023 |website=The Guardian}}{{cite web |date=29 January 2023 |title=Sleaze, scandal and the ghost of Boris Johnson – can 'hopelessly weak' Sunak handle the job? |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2023/jan/29/is-the-prime-ministers-job-just-too-big-for-rishi-sunak |access-date=29 January 2023 |website=The Guardian}}

Following his departure from government, Zahawi became a backbencher.{{cite news |last=Advani |first=Arun |date=3 February 2023 |title=Nadhim Zahawi: it was the paltry size of his tax bill that should shock us |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2023/feb/03/nadhim-zahawi-it-was-the-paltry-size-of-his-tax-bill-that-should-shock-us |access-date=9 May 2024 |work=The Guardian |issn=0261-3077}} In April 2023, he was reselected for the next general election.{{#invoke:cite news||date=1 April 2023|title=Nadhim Zahawi re-selected as Stratford-on-Avon candidate|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-coventry-warwickshire-65148347|access-date=3 April 2023}} In November 2023, David Spencer resigned from the executive of Zahawi's local Conservative Association, intending to challenge him at the 2024 general election.{{cite web |date=11 November 2023 |title=Stratford Conservative executive resigns to oppose Nadhim Zahawi at next election |url=https://www.stratford-herald.com/news/stratford-conservative-executive-resigns-to-oppose-nadhim-za-9339438/ |access-date=24 November 2023 |website=Stratford Herald }} On 9 May 2024, Zahawi announced his retirement at the next election.{{cite news |date=9 May 2024 |title=Nadhim Zahawi to stand down as Conservative MP at election |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-68982016 |access-date=9 May 2024 |work=BBC News }}{{cite news |last=Quinn |first=Ben |date=9 May 2024 |title=Nadhim Zahawi to stand down as MP at next general election |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/article/2024/may/09/nadhim-zahawi-stand-down-mp-next-general-election |access-date=9 May 2024 |work=The Guardian |issn=0261-3077}}

Zahawi married his wife Lana in 2004. He has three children. A keen rider and show jumper, Zahawi owns and runs a riding school with his wife.{{cite news | url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/10439030/Millionaire-Tory-MP-claimed-expenses-to-heat-stables.html | location=London | work=The Daily Telegraph | first=Ben | last=Riley-Smith | title=Millionaire Tory MP claimed expenses to heat stables | date=10 November 2013 | access-date=2 April 2018 | archive-date=24 March 2018 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180324223755/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/10439030/Millionaire-Tory-MP-claimed-expenses-to-heat-stables.html | url-status=live }} He is a member of the private members' club Soho House.

Following then US President Donald Trump's Executive Order 13769 that banned travellers from a number of Muslim majority countries, Zahawi reported that, despite being a British citizen, he was unable to enter the United States, as he was born in Iraq. The ban also affected his wife.{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/tory-mp-reveals-he-is-banned-from-us-under-trumps-muslim-ban-a7551511.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220618/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/tory-mp-reveals-he-is-banned-from-us-under-trumps-muslim-ban-a7551511.html |archive-date=18 June 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Tory MP reveals he is banned from US under Trump's Muslim ban|date=28 January 2017|work=The Independent|access-date=12 September 2017}} According to a media report, this prevented Zahawi from visiting his children attending university in the US.{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/donald-trump-muslim-ban-british-mp-nadhim-zahawi-iraq-visit-kids-a7551576.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220618/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/donald-trump-muslim-ban-british-mp-nadhim-zahawi-iraq-visit-kids-a7551576.html |archive-date=18 June 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Donald Trump's Muslim ban prevents Iraqi-born British MP from visiting his children|date=29 January 2017|work=The Independent|access-date=12 September 2017}}

Zahawi spoke out against the policy and urged that the UK should not turn a blind eye to it. He also argued that the travel ban and then prime minister Theresa May's failure to condemn it only fuelled support for the Islamic State in Iraq and other countries.

In January 2018, it was reported in the media that Zahawi was one of the attendees at a men-only dinner event organised by the Presidents Club at the Dorchester Hotel in London.{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/society/2018/jan/24/great-ormond-street-return-presidents-club-donations-harassment-claims|title=Presidents Club to close down after claims of harassment at 'hostess' gala|first1=Rob|last1=Davies|first2=Matthew|last2=Weaver|first3=Heather|last3=Stewart|date=24 January 2018|work=The Guardian|access-date=24 January 2018|archive-date=24 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180124203310/https://www.theguardian.com/society/2018/jan/24/great-ormond-street-return-presidents-club-donations-harassment-claims|url-status=live}} Media reports alleged that female hostesses were subjected to sexual harassment and incidents of groping and inappropriate touching.{{cite web|url=https://www.ft.com/content/075d679e-0033-11e8-9650-9c0ad2d7c5b5|title=Men Only: Inside the charity fundraiser where hostesses are put on show|first=Madison|last=Marriage|date=23 January 2018|website=Financial Times|access-date=24 January 2018|archive-date=23 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180123202644/https://www.ft.com/content/075d679e-0033-11e8-9650-9c0ad2d7c5b5|url-status=live}} Following the revelations of his attendance at the event, Zahawi posted a tweet condemning such behaviour and stated that he felt uncomfortable at what he saw happening. He has also stated that he will never attend such a men-only event again.{{cite tweet |first=Nadhim|last=Zahawi|user=nadhimzahawi|number=956156653950382080|date=24 January 2018|title=I do unequivocally condemn this behaviour ... I will never attend a men only function ever|location=|link=no|archive-date=24 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180124142454/https://twitter.com/nadhimzahawi/status/956156653950382080|url-status=live}} In response, opposition politicians, including the Shadow Secretary of State for Education, Angela Rayner, called for Zahawi to step down from his position as Parliamentary Under-Secretary in the Department of Education as he did not report his concerns about unlawful behaviour at the event to the police and because he had attended the event before on several occasions.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-42801178|title=Scandal-hit dinner organiser quits post|date=30 April 2018|work=BBC News|access-date=20 June 2018|archive-date=10 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180210083220/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-42801178|url-status=live}}{{cite magazine|url=https://www.tes.com/magazine/archive/pressure-mounting-childrens-minister-over-attendance-men-only-dinner|url-access=subscription|title=Pressure mounting on children's minister over attendance at men-only dinner|date=24 January 2018|magazine=tes Magazine|archive-date=25 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180125015341/https://www.tes.com/news/school-news/breaking-news/pressure-mounting-childrens-minister-over-attendance-men-only-dinner|url-status=live}}

{{notelist}}

• Nadhim Zahawi, The Boy from Baghdad : My Journey from Waziriyah to Westminster, London: HarperCollins, 2024. {{ISBN|978-000-864069-9}}

{{reflist}}

{{Commons}}

• {{Official URL}}
• {{UK MP links | parliament = nadhim-zahawi/4113 | publicwhip = Nadhim_Zahawi | theywork = nadhim_zahawi }}
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20190925080753/http://www.catch21.co.uk/2010/08/new-mpinions-nadhim-zahawi-mp Interview after winning his seat in 2010] at Catch21
• {{C-SPAN|93530}}

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