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Dragons' Den stars Duncan Bannatyne and James Caan in non-dom row
Jonathan Prynn, Consumer Business Editor18 Mar 2010
Their friendly rivalry is normally limited to their on-screen roles as they joust for investments in Dragons' Den business start-ups.
But today Scottish tycoon Duncan Bannatyne has accused fellow dragon James Caan of muscling on to his health club business “manor” by unfairly exploiting the “non-dom” tax loophole.
In a newspaper article, the 61-year -old owner of Bannatyne's Health Clubs claimed he was at a “distinct disadvantage” to Mr Caan, who is backing a new chain called Nuyuu Fitness.
He said Pakistan-born Mr Caan's non-domiciled status, which means he does not have to pay UK taxes on his overseas earnings, “unfairly penalised” his competitors.
He added: “As I pay UK tax on all of the earnings that fund my lifestyle I am clearly at an unfair disadvantage. It's just as well James and I get on so well, and there couldn't be a nicer man to be in competition with, but you can see my point. And what about all the other health club operators up and down the country.”
Ironically Mr Caan, 49, was invited to join the dragons after the BBC dropped his predecessor Australian Richard Farleigh in 2007 because he was then based in Monaco. Mr Bannatyne, whose business empire includes 60 health clubs, called on a change in the law that has benefited thousands of wealthy high-earners.
“All UK residents should have a duty to pay UK tax unless they can prove that they are paying equivalent taxes elsewhere in the world. This would level the business playing field and encourage rather than stifle the growth of enterprise and small business in this country.”
He added non-doms can also “export” much of their UK profits to an off-shore company to minimise their tax bill. Mr Caan was unavailable for comment. In the past he has said: “I pay local tax in whatever jurisdiction I make money.”
Reader views (6)
Love it when the PC brigade come out swinging. Anybody whose not White they love to fight their corner. I am Asian and I can understand why Duncan has a such grievance against James Cann considering he earns some of his money here then he should pay tax on those earnings and not deprive Britain of it's hard earned right. Also it's wrong for James to start in competition with Duncan a Gym business considering his once close business relation with Duncan. It's unethical.
- Imran Ahmed, Aberdeen, 09/01/2011 18:26
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Oh Duncan. How the hell is the British public supposed to take you seriously parading on National television when you don't even understand the basic principles of non-dom taxes in the UK? Secondly, your gyms are a total wreck. PS. I am a member of one of your gyms and will email photos to anyone interested of the dire state of some of the facilities. Why buy Living Well to destruct a perfectly good set of gyms? You ruined them. Note to BBC. Get rid of this loser.
- Nick, London, 17/04/2010 16:39
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Duncan don't just knock James. There is an old saying if you cannot win them, then join them ?
- Stan White, leeds, 19/03/2010 07:04
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Unfortunately his claims make no sense to anyone who understands how the non-dom system works.
why should someone pay UK tax on money that has not been earned or generated in the UK, nor has ever entered the UK?
- Scotty, london, 18/03/2010 11:51
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Having watched Duncan Bannatyne and reading about him, I find him to be a very petty and pathetic man.
- John, ealing, 18/03/2010 10:21
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Duncan has a good point. Its about time these non-doms paid p did not have an unfair advantage over those that do pay their taxes.
- Dhan Raj, Basildon, 18/03/2010 09:41
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