Green Party leader apologises over potential unpaid council tax on houseboat

The Green Party is facing uncomfortable questions regarding the living arrangements and tax affairs of its leader, Zack Polanski. Reports have emerged suggesting that Polanski may have failed to pay council tax on a houseboat moored in London, a situation that has prompted an apology from the party.

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Zack apologises sincerely for the unintentional mistake.

A spokesperson for the Green Party confirmed that Polanski had, until recently, been residing on a houseboat, acknowledging that this situation came with "unique practical circumstances and considerations." Crucially, the party stated that Polanski has "immediately taken steps to pay any council tax he may be found to owe" and has "apologised sincerely for the unintentional mistake." This admission comes after The Times newspaper raised concerns about whether the houseboat, located in a Hackney marina, had been declared as his primary residence.

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Until relatively recently, Zack was living on a houseboat, which came with its own unique practical circumstances and considerations.

Tax lawyer Dan Neidle explained that a boat is liable for council tax if it serves as a person's "sole or main residence." The Times reported that Polanski's partner had advertised the boat for sale, mentioning they were "moving house." While the Green Party initially suggested Polanski rented a room elsewhere and only stayed on the boat "occasionally," further reports indicated he and his partner had been using a nearby building as a postal address and that Polanski was registered to vote there. The party has cited "security reasons" for not commenting further on Polanski's specific address.

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He has immediately taken steps to pay any council tax he may be found to owe.