Gordon Ramsay denies fresh tax avoidance claims

Gordon Ramsay has denied any wrongdoing after leaked documents claimed that the chef had avoided over £2.2m in tax.

The document, seen by the Mail on Sunday, was written by Ramsay's former finance director Trevor James.

In it James admitted that the company had "skated on some very thin ice" and added that "the duty at stake is enough to warrant prosecution for years to come, should the real facts emerge".

A spokesman told the Mail on Sunday that the document had been deliberately kept from Ramsay, adding that James has since been dismissed.

In the document dated 3 August, 2010 James claimed his methods were legitimate but admitted that he removed documents from Gordon Ramsay Holding's (GRH) files. He also said that Ramsay has personally received £375,000 of tips held in the tronc fund.

The new revelation follows reports in August that Gordon Ramsay Holdings (GRH) was under investigation over an unpaid tax bill, thought to be in seven figures.

At the time a spokesperson for Ramsay contested the suggestion that he was aware of any wrongdoing and emphasised that action has been taken to rectify the situation.

"This investigation was triggered by Gordon when he became aware of certain actions and conduct of some employees when the business was run under previous management. Gordon voluntarily approached the HMRC when a note detailing these actions came to light.

"The employees involved have since been dismissed and GRH continues to work with Deloitte and HMRC to conclude the matter," said the spokesperson.
HMRC first probed GRH in 2005, after at claims that management had been abusing cash from the company's tips fund. Ramsay was later cleared of wrongdoing by inspectors, after agreeing to pay back some outstanding tax.

A second major investigation into Gordon Ramsay Holdings has been launched by HMRC after suggestions that James misled officials during the previous probe. Ramsay has denied any wrongdoing and employed consultants Deloitte to act for him and his company in a bid to clear his name.

Gordon Ramsay disputes "serious fraud" allegations >>

Caterer and Hotelkeeper 100: Gordon Ramsay, Gordon Ramsay Holdings >>