HMRC chief 'former partner' at law firm which represented offshore companies

Edward Troup is the new head of HMRC - and a former partner in law firm Simmons & Simmons the Guardian has reported Credit: PA

The head of HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) was previously a partner at a law firm which represented a number of offshore companies, including a fund set up by David Cameron's late father, the Guardian newspaper has reported.

Edward Troup, the new executive chairman of HMRC, is reportedly a former partner at Simmons & Simmons, whose clients have included the Panama-registered Blairmore Holdings, created by the Prime Minister's father Ian.

HMRC has been given in a lead role in the £10 million taskforce launched by the prime minister to investigate allegations of wrongdoing linked to the Panama Papers leak from Panamanian law firm Mossack Fonseca.

The Prime Minister has faced growing scrutiny over his finances since it emerged he had invested in his father's offshore company - and will face MPs later today.

David Cameron will face MPs later today for the first time following an ongoing row over his personal tax affairs Credit: Yui Mok / PA

The shadow chancellor John McDonnell seized on the Guardian report as a further indication of why the inquiry into the Panama Papers revelations should be independent.

The Guardian, which has access to the leaked information, said Simmons & Simmons' name appears on dozens of emails and documents in the Panama Papers in connection with a number of companies registered with Mossack Fonseca.

HMRC said Troup had never had dealings with Mossack Fonseca and none of the individuals or organisations named so far in relation to the Panama Papers were clients he had advised.

Edward Troup worked at the firm from 1997 until 2004 and the Guardian reported that some correspondence dates back to 2003, when Mr Troup was still a partner.

The first emails to Mossack Fonseca regarding Blairmore date from 2005 and the Guardian reported that Simmons & Simmons was advising Blairmore from 2001.

The Panama Papers appear to show Simmons & Simmons' offices in London and Hong Kong were registered as clients or intermediaries with Mossack Fonseca.

The newspaper reported that in 2008, when Blairmore was considering a change of jurisdiction, Simmons & Simmons asked Mossack Fonseca for advice on the benefits of other tax havens.