The MP for Kingston and Surbiton, Ed Davey, is urging the Prime Minister to start making British "tax exiles" in Dubai pay British tax

Ed Davey MP's statements come after Iran sent missiles to Dubai and other parts of the Middle East over the weekend. Earlier this week, Ed Davey MP also urged Starmer not to allow the US to use UK RAF bases amid its war with Iran.

In a meeting in Parliament with the PM on Monday (2 March), the Liberal Democrat Leader said: "We rightly expect our brave armed forces to protect British citizens around the world in crisis like this, but that includes tax exiles like Isabel Oakeshott and washed-up old footballers who mock ordinary people, who stay in the UK and pay our taxes here.

"So, as we protect them, does the Prime Minister agree it is only right for tax exiles to start paying taxes to fund our armed forces just like the rest of us do?"

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Ed Davey MP added: "We rightly expect our Armed Forces to protect British citizens abroad.

"So, it's right that tax exiles should pay UK tax like the rest of us, whether they're right-wing political pundits or washed-up footballers."

In an interview with LBC, Ed Davey MP commented on his speech in Parliament on Monday saying: "I was really clear in the House [of Commons] that we absolutely have owe a duty to them, they are British, but I think it is also a duty for the rest of our country that they pay their taxes.

"And I think many people have been rather alarmed […] that we are now going to pay for them to be protected rightly, but they should start paying.

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"I think it's a complete principle that we should all agree with, if they benefit from that protection, they should contribute towards it."

He added that we "should learn from the American system" whereby 'tax exiles' do not have to pay an exit tax but pay tax based on their income "if they are benefiting from British armed forces".

"It surely should be consensus point", he added.

Following his claims, the Liberal Democrat Leader has received a lot of hate on social media to which he responded to on an X post, saying: "Some of you might not agree, but I passionately believe we must help British citizens abroad, however much tax they've avoided.

"But I have to say, for years, we've been treated to smug posts on social media by the likes of Isabel Oakeshott, social media influencers, and retired footballers, mocking us all for paying our tax.

"Let's have a lot less of that, please, and some contribution to our armed forces who keep us all safe."