It is not just Labour MPs who think the billionaire should dig into his own resources to help out in the current crisis. Now is the time your staff need support after making mountains of cash for the company.” And he has the industry’s backing.īut the plea has prompted a substantial backlash, with many pointing out that the entrepreneur has paid the exchequer no personal income tax since moving to the tax free British Virgin Islands (BVI) 14 years ago.įormer shadow chancellor John McDonnell told the Guardian it was unacceptable that “rich billionaires milking the system” at a time of national crisis.Īngela Rayner, deputy leader of the Labour party, tweeted: “Richard flog your private island and pay your staff, we are in unprecedented times here.
Branson, who founded Virgin Atlantic in 1984 and retains a 51% stake alongside US airline Delta with 49%, is pleading for UK government support.
