Hungry, hungry Hartnett

When it comes to tax, we all know that there’s no such thing as a free lunch – unless you’re Dave Hartnett…

Whatever you might think of him, most will agree that HMRC’s permanent secretary for tax doesn’t have an easy job. Indeed, many accounting firms felt so sorry for him, they felt the need to supply him with free booze – over and over again.

A recent study by the Bureau of Investigative Journalism revealed that Hartnett is, in fact, the most wined and dined official in Whitehall, having accepted 107 invitations over the past three years. Top accountancy firms were the most generous – KPMG fed him ten times, Ernst & Young trailed behind at four invitations while Deloitte played host three times.

Last September, hungry Hartnett wolfed down four dinners, two lunches and two breakfasts paid for by unnamed private equity chiefs, PwC and KPMG, among others.

In a statement to the Guardian, an HMRC spokesperson denied that Hartnett had received too much hospitality, saying: “The relationships that Dave has forged have enabled HMRC to transform its relationships with business and other taxpayers. This has made a significant contribution to the increased tax yield HMRC has achieved in the period”.

So although it might have looked like he was tucking into free Chablis and grub, Hartnett was in fact working his socks off to ensure big firms pay their share of tax.

Before you start chastising me with metaphors about pots and kettles being black, I’m painfully aware that, as a journalist, I’m probably even guiltier than Mr HMRC Happy Eater of enjoying a free lunch or two. My defence is that:

• a) I don’t get paid as much as he does (FYI, trying to work out how many years it will take me to earn Harnett’s reported annual salary of £160 - £165k made me so depressed I had to eat a party sized bag of Maltesers to get over it).
• b) As a journalist, it’s important to get out there and hear what people in the profession are talking about (it’s not my fault they like to talk and eat at the same time…)
• c) Regardless of who’s buying lunch, I’ll still give my honest opinion (otherwise who would believe what I had to say the rest of the time?)
• d) My mum told me it’s rude to say no when someone offers you something. (Perhaps Dave received the same advice?)
• e) As a member of the British press, I reserve the right to poke fun at Whitehall officials. I think it might even be in the Royal Charter…(did I mention we frequently get facts wrong?!)

Bon appétit!