I am aware, as I have it drawn to my attention, that there is a petition on the 10 Downing Street web site that says:

We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to appoint Richard Murphy, the head of the Tax Justice Network, as a special adviser to the government on tax avoidance issues.

Submitted by Alex Marshall - Deadline to sign up by: 09 January 2008

I make clear I did not submit this, and was not aware of it being submitted. It's kind of Alex Marshall (with whom I am not, as far as I know, acquainted) to have such confidence. I should however point out that I am an adviser to the Tax Justice Network. My friend John Christensen is its director.