Readers’ forum: What are the tax implications of gifts to politicians?

My client is a wealthy local businessman. He is a friend to a newly-elected MP and the news about gifts of clothes and suchlike to ministers has prompted him to ask me about the potential tax implications.

I am not sure whether the major parties will issue some kind of blanket ban on such gifts but let’s assume not. If my client were to help his local MP with a gift of clothes holiday accommodation or perhaps transport – such as flights or even the use of a car – would he be able to claim any tax relief on these costs if they were provided through one of his companies?

On the other side of the coin and to pre-empt any issues would the MP be liable to a tax charge on the value of these gifts? Alternatively would the business itself have any...