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Emma Watson Has Been Named In The Controversial Panama Papers

Emma Watson Has Been Named In The Controversial Panama Papers

That's unexpected...

Mel Ramsay

Mel Ramsay

Emma Watson is the latest high profile figure to be named in the controversial Panama Papers.

Basically, that suggests she's used an offshore company based in a tax haven. This in itself is not illegal however, if it turns out that she did this to avoid tax then it's really not good for the Harry Potter star.

She's currently taking a break from acting to concentrate on her work as a United Nations' goodwill ambassador and women's rights campaigner. So this kind of news really doesn't bode well for her squeaky-clean image.

There are around 200,000 offshore companies which were revealed in the papers by the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ).

The Spectator revealed Watson's name was featured in the papers, stating: "The Offshore Leaks Database says that 'Emma Charlotte Duerre Watson' is a beneficiary in an offshore company based in the British Virgin Islands."


Credit: PA

However, a spokesperson for Watson said: "Emma (like many high profile individuals) set up an offshore company for the sole purpose of protecting her anonymity and safety. UK companies are required to publicly publish details of their shareholders and therefore do not give her the necessary anonymity required to protect her personal safety, which has been jeopardised in the past owing to such information being publicly available.

"Offshore companies do not publish these shareholder details. Emma receives absolutely no tax or monetary advantages from this offshore company whatsoever - only privacy."

So they are basically saying that this was not for tax purposes, but to maintain her privacy and anonymity.

It seems that the papers are full of surprises, and we can expect more and more high profile names to be revealed over time.

Words by Mel Ramsay

Featured image credit: PA

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Topics: Harry Potter