Jeremy Clarkson has reversed his previous statement that he bought his farm to avoid paying inheritance tax. The former Top Gear host has recently been in the spotlight after participating in a protest against changes to agricultural inheritance tax.
Clarkson’s U-turn on farm purchase motives
Clarkson joined thousands of farmers in central London last week to protest against the new inheritance tax rules. These rules, introduced in the Budget last month by Chancellor Rachel Reeves, state that agricultural assets worth more than £1 million will now be subject to inheritance tax.
In 2021, Clarkson told the public that avoiding inheritance tax had been a “critical thing” in his decision to buy the farm. This was in line with a 2010 statement he made on the Top Gear website, where he said he purchased the farm because “land is a better investment than any bank can offer” and that the government “doesn’t get any of my money when I die.”
Clarkson says tax benefits weren’t the real reason
However, in a recent interview with The Times, the 64-year-old former presenter claimed that tax benefits weren’t the true motivation behind his farm purchase. He said, “I never did admit why I really bought it.” Clarkson explained that the real reason for buying the farm was his desire to have a place to go shooting for game.
He added, “I wanted to have a shoot – I was very naive. I just thought it would be a better PR story if I said I bought it to avoid paying tax.”
Clarkson’s role in inheritance tax protest
Despite this clarification, Clarkson has continued to be a prominent figure in the protests against inheritance tax changes. At the march in London, he voiced his opposition to the new rules. However, some have raised questions about whether Clarkson should truly be seen as a farming hero.
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