Chief executive and permanent secretary of HMRC, Jon Thompson, has revealed that he received two death threats after telling the Treasury Committee that a post-Brexit customs option could potentially cost £20bn
In an event at the Institute for Government on the 11 October, Thompson said that the evidence he gave to the Treasury committee in May this year had led to ‘very significant personal consequences’.
Thompson said: ‘We have had to change how I travel and what my personal security is. We have had two death threats investigated by the Metropolitan police for speaking truth unto power about Brexit.
‘It is the job of civil servants to provide objective and impartial advice and to do that without fear nor favour. It is a cornerstone of our democratic process and something we should celebrate and do everything to uphold.’
The threats followed an appearance before the Treasury Committee when he was asked about Brexit ‘maximum facilitation’ proposals, which would rely on technical checks to maintain an open border. This system is favoured by Brexiters as it would mean the UK would not have to follow EU regulations on goods. In his evidence Thompson said that ‘maximum facilitation’ could end up costing £20bn.
An HMRC spokesperson said: ‘We do not comment on security measures.’
Report by Amy Austin
