Nadhim Zahawi should go and not just stand aside as Conservative chairman during an inquiry into his taxes.

Rishi Sunak has asked his ethics adviser to investigate Mr Zahawi's financial affairs. It is appalling that previous Chancellor of Exchequer who was in command of HRMC (Tax Office) has to be investigated because of nearly £5mio unpaid of taxes.

There is no doubt that Mr Zahawi is facing opposition calls to resign after reaching a settlement with HMRC over previously unpaid tax while a fellow minister said he should be allowed to stay on during the probe.

Quite typical comment was made by Chris Philp, a minister at the Home Office, added it was "reasonable" for him to stay in post, and it wouldn't be fair to "jump to any conclusions".

He also defended the prime minister's handling of the controversy, after he initially told MPs last week Mr Zahawi had "addressed this matter in full".

Mr Philp added that Mr Sunak had launched the investigation after "extra facts came to light" over the weekend.

If you recall Mr Philip try to defend undefendable in raw with previous PM Boris Johnson.

Don’t be blind again: Same people, same party, same problems!

Mr Sunak had been told when appointing Mr Zahawi Conservative Party chairman in October that his taxes were "in order," Mr Philp added.

Mr Zahawi confirmed on Saturday that he had made a payment to settle a dispute with HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC), adding that the tax authority accepted the error was "careless and not deliberate".

We understands the dispute was resolved between July and September last year, when Mr Zahawi was chancellor under Boris Johnson, and that the total amount paid is in the region of about £5m, including a penalty.

On Monday, a spokesperson for Mr Sunak suggested he was not aware last week that Mr Zahawi had paid a penalty as part of his settlement.

The prime minister has asked Sir Laurie Magnus, his newly appointed ethics adviser, to examine whether Mr Zahawi broke the code of conduct on ministerial behaviour.

Mr Zahawi said that during the probe he would stay on as Conservative chairman, a role in which he is responsible for party administration and political campaigning.

He pledged to co-operate with the inquiry, adding he was confident he had "acted properly throughout".

The investigation could prove problematic for the Tory party, given Mr Zahawi would be expected appear frequently in the media in the coming weeks ahead of local elections in May.

Mr Sunak's spokesman said on Tuesday the probe would be carried out "swiftly," but no timeline had been set for publication of its findings.

On the other hand, Ms Nokes (Former Tory Minister), who chairs the Commons women and equalities committee, said Mr Zahawi should "temporarily" stand down during the investigation.

She added that "for his own sake" he should "allow some space" between the probe and his chairman role, as part of which he attends cabinet.

She also urged him to "come clean on all of the questions being posed" into his affairs by journalists and others.

Well Ms Nokes, very difficult to come clean, not just Mr Zahawi, but nearly 2/3 of Rishi Sunak Cabinet including Rishi itself, starting with “party gate” on No.10. There are quite a few who bridge The Ministerial Code like Dominic Raab(Deputy PM), Jeremy Hunt (Chancellor of Exchequer), Suella Braverman(Home Secretary) up to the last one Gavin Williamson Minister Without Portfolio).

Government should concentrate and focus and solve real problems such as cost of living, strikes and the state of the NHS.