SHADOW chancellor John McDonnell urged his government counterpart today to be honest about his past associations with tax-avoiders and tax havens.

Mr McDonnell said it was “critical” that new Chancellor Rishi Sunak comes clean to show that the government is serious about cracking down on tax non-compliance.

During an opposition day debate, Mr McDonnell said: “A former close business associate in two companies in which the Chancellor held senior positions was ordered to repay £8 million after engaging in an unlawful tax-avoidance scheme.