News / Politics
Johnson backs ‘free ports’ proposals weeks after donation from Bristol Port Company
The Conservative leadership front runner has endorsed a report calling for ‘tax free ports’ just weeks after receiving a generous donation from Bristol Port Company.
Boris Johnson confirmed he will back proposals for Free Trade Zones – which would be exempt from taxes and tariffs – set out by Tory Tees Valley mayor Ben Houchen on a visit to the region on Friday.
On May 22, First Corporate Shipping Ltd, which trades as The Bristol Port Company, donated £25,000 to both Johnson and his leadership rival Jeremy Hunt.
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Read more: Bristol Port Company donates £25,000 to both Johnson and Hunt
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First Corporate Shipping is a private company owned by Terence Mordaunt and David Ord. In 1991, the company purchased a 150-year lease of the Avonmouth & Royal Portbury Docks from Bristol City Council.
Bristol is one of five ports specifically mentioned in the report as a potential site to pilot a national Free Zone Policy, with Houchen suggesting “an aeronautics cluster at Bristol Port, exploiting existing linkages across the Midlands”.
It has been reported that both Johnson and Hunt have expressed support for the ‘tax free ports’, drawing on models such as those in Singapore or Dubai.
Bristol Port Company has been approached for comment.
Main photo credit: The Bristol Port Company
Read more: Bristol Port and the Floating Harbour
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