Chris Leslie MP, Labour’s Shadow Chief Secretary to the Treasury, responding to George Osborne’s remarks on the HSBC scandal, said:

“George Osborne has finally emerged, but he still hasn’t answered any of the key questions over the HSBC scandal. He cannot continue to duck responsibility for HMRC’s failure to act or the decision to make Lord Green a Conservative Minister.

“Why has there only been one prosecution out of 1,100 names? Why did George Osborne and David Cameron appoint Lord Green as a Minister months after the government received these files? Did they discuss tax evasion at HSBC with Lord Green, or did they turn a blind eye?

“And why did the Treasury sign a deal with the Swiss authorities in 2012 which prevents the UK from actively obtaining similar information in the future?

“Labour will tackle tax avoidance, close tax loopholes and hold a root and branch review of HMRC immediately after the election. It’s time George Osborne stopped treating the British people with contempt and started giving us some answers.”