Greens leader Zack Polanski has admitted he may have failed to pay the correct council tax while living on a London houseboat.
Mr Polanski had faced mounting questions over whether the houseboat, moored in Hackney, was his primary residence.
A Green Party spokesperson described the situation as an “unintentional mistake” and said he had “immediately taken steps” to pay any tax owed.
“Until relatively recently, Zack was living on a houseboat, which came with its own unique practical circumstances and considerations.
“He has immediately taken steps to pay any council tax he may be found to owe. Zack apologises sincerely for the unintentional mistake.”
The Green Party previously told The Times newspaper Mr Polanski rented a room at another address where council tax was included in the rent and only stayed on the boat “occasionally”.
Government guidance states that a person may be liable for council tax on a boat if it is their “sole or main” residence.
A Green Party spokesperson added: “For security reasons, we do not comment publicly on Zack’s address.
“There have recently been two serious incidents which have been reported to the police and are under investigation.”
The Times last week reported boat was on sale for £100,000. In an advertisement for the sale, Mr Polanski’s partner wrote: “We are moving to a house and so will sadly be leaving the gorgeous community behind.”
The newspaper added a local laundrette said it had often done laundry for Mr Polanski and his partner from 2023 to 2025.
The Daily Mail separately reported that Mr Polanski was registered to vote at a building near the marina, which he is also said to have used as a mailing address.
But the Lee Valley Authority, which owns the property, said the party leader and his partner never rented the bungalow.
Tax lawyer Dan Neidle, founder of Tax Policy Associates, analysed Mr Polanski’s situation this week and wrote: “If the boat was in fact Mr Polanski’s ‘sole or main residence’ then he and/or his partner should have registered for, and paid, council tax for those three years.”
Kevin Hollinrake, the chairman of the Conservative Party, said Mr Polanski had “serious questions” to answer.
Mr Hollinrake said: “Zack Polanski needs to come clean about his living arrangements, because they simply don’t appear to match the public record.
“There are serious questions over whether the correct council tax has been paid on his houseboat. The public deserves clear answers.”
