Wilkins Kennedy advised Bercow on tax matters

Top 25 firm Wilkins Kennedy handled tax affairs for John Bercow, the new Speaker of the House of Commons who has come under fire for ‘flipping’ the designation of his second home, a move which avoided £6,508 of capital gains tax.

He racked up nearly £1,000 of advice from the firm for help filling in his tax returns which he claimed for on Commons expenses. Accountancy Age was unable to confirm whether the firm advised Bercow on CGT.

Parliamentary records showed he claimed £481.75 and £487.62 respectively in 2007 and 2008 for the cost of a chartered accountant to prepare and submit his self-assessment tax returns.

Bercow touted himself as the ‘clean break’ Speaker after the expenses scandal that has hit Westminster in recent months, vowing to restore public faith in Parliament.

He has denied any wrong-doing ­ but has said he will pay HM Revenue & Customs £6,508 ‘voluntarily’ to cover the CGT he might have otherwise have paid on the sale of one of his homes.

Wilkins Kennedy was unavailable for comment before going to press.