Rishi Sunak refers himself to ministerial watchdog as he fights to save career

RISHI Sunak was today bracing himself for the toughest week of his political life as the row over his wife’s tax affairs deepened.

The Chancellor has been panned by backbenchers over her non-dom tax ­status and his secretly holding a US green card.

Yesterday Mr Sunak referred himself to the independent ministerial watchdog in a bid to clear his name.

He said: “I have always followed the rules and I hope such a review will provide further clarity.”

He also ordered a probe to find out who leaked her tax affairs.

A source said it would “be carried out with a view to potential criminal prosecutions”.

Mr Sunak faces a make-or-break week just days after his wife Akshata Murty said she will pay UK taxes on the millions of pounds she earns overseas following a U-turn.

But backbenchers branded Mr Sunak a “Jeremiah” — after the Bible figure who complains everyone is out to kill him.

One senior Tory fumed: “He has shown his political judgment is totally lacking.”

Mr Sunak had accused his wife’s critics of a “smear campaign”.

It has been estimated her non-dom status could have saved her £20million in taxes.

Then, it emerged he held a US green card until last year.

His team are trying to kill the “utter rubbish” about him resigning.

Cabinet colleague Kit Malthouse said: “He knows the saying, ‘tough times don’t last, tough people do’.”

Meanwhile, Health Secretary, and ex Chancellor, Sajid Javid admitted he was a non-dom who didn’t pay tax in Britain for six years while working as a high-flying banker.