London: The UK’s opposition Labour Party alleges that Infosys, the Indian IT giant, received “VIP access” and assurances of support for UK expansion due to Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s familial link with co-founder Narayana Murthy.
Based on a ‘Sunday Mirror’ report from an FOI request, Trade Minister Lord Dominic Johnson discussed Infosys’ UK operations during a visit to Bengaluru in April 2023, raising transparency concerns about the government’s dealings with the company.
Lord Johnson expressed a desire for Infosys to expand in the UK, stating he would facilitate it, according to a meeting readout.
Jonathan Ashworth of the Labour Party questions the “special treatment” Infosys received, demanding answers from the government, especially in the wake of the PPE funding controversy.
Akshata Murty, Sunak’s wife, owns a 0.91% stake worth GBP 500 million in Infosys. During the meeting, Lord Johnson highlighted the UK’s visa scheme to Infosys executives, redacted in FOI documents.
The Opposition claims Infosys sought visa benefits through the India-UK free trade agreement (FTA), pending for over a year. The meeting aimed to “reassure” about FTA opportunities, according to a briefing paper.
This follows previous Labour Party criticism of Akshata Murty’s business decisions, including liquidating Catamaran Ventures, her 2013 investment venture.
Sunak and Akshata faced scrutiny over her non-domicile tax status, but she relinquished it amid opposition pressure, committing to pay all her taxes in the UK to avoid distractions in her husband’s political career.
