A formal investigation has determined that Green Party London Assembly leader Zack Polanski did not breach the members' code of conduct by failing to pay council tax on his houseboat. The probe, initiated by complaints from the Conservative and Labour parties, found that his personal financial affairs were outside the scope of the official conduct rules. Polanski admitted to misunderstanding his tax obligations but denied any lack of integrity.
The Green Party 's London Assembly leader, Zack Polanski , has been cleared of wrongdoing by a sleaze probe following revelations that he failed to pay council tax on his houseboat.
The investigation, conducted by the Greater London Authority's monitoring officer, examined whether Polanski breached the London Assembly members' code of conduct, including the Nolan Principles on honesty and integrity. The probe was launched after complaints from the Conservative and Labour parties. The investigator concluded that Polanski's personal tax affairs did not occur in his official capacity as an elected representative and therefore fell outside the jurisdiction of the code.
This legal determination was supported by separate legal counsel, which emphasized that the code applies only to conduct undertaken in an official role, with private behavior generally excluded unless there is a clear link to public duties. The complaints themselves were also criticized by Polanski's legal team as "vexatious, politically motivated" attacks, though the final report did not rule on that point.
Polanski admitted during the process that he should have taken greater care to understand his unconventional housing situation and its tax implications. He maintained, however, that his honesty and integrity were not in question. The issue originated in early May when the Daily Mail reported that Polanski was registered to vote at a marina building in East London where he kept a narrowboat, but that the vessel itself was not registered for council tax.
Government guidance states that council tax is payable if a boat is a person's sole or main residence. Polanski initially told the press he only stayed on the boat occasionally, but evidence, including a partner's description of it as their "amazing home" and regular laundry collections from the barge, suggested it was his primary dwelling. Tax expert analysis indicated the boat would be liable for Band A council tax, potentially owing around £4,000 for three years.
Following the monitoring officer's decision to take no further action, a spokesman for Polanski declared the matter closed. Conservative leader Neil Garratt, however, accused Polanski of having a "cavalier attitude" toward the truth and obligations, arguing it was hypocritical for a left-wing politician to advocate for others to pay taxes while not paying his own. The episode has intensified scrutiny on political transparency and the boundaries of personal versus official conduct for elected officials
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