* ECB keeps policy on hold at Malta meeting but discussed rate cuts * Nigel Lawson slams BOE governor’s ‘regrettable’ remarks on EU membership * Osborne agrees with Carney’s speech; EU renegotiation important * UK retail sales in September boosted by Rugby World Cup beer sales 4.31pm BST 4.11pm BST GREECE HAS REPORTEDLY SACKED ITS TOP TAX COLLECTION OFFICIAL IN A ROW OVER ALLEGED DELAYS IN COLLECTING TAXES, A MOVE WHICH COULD INCREASE CONCERN ABOUT THE POLITICAL INDEPENDENCE OF ITS TAX AUTHORITIES. It comes at a time when the country is still in the throes of tackling reforms to satisfy its bailout terms. Reuters reports: Katerina Savvaidou, head of the Public Revenues Authority, had denied any wrongdoing. She was charged by a Greek prosecutor with breach of duty for extending by about a year tax collection on revenues on TV advertising. Prosecutors alleged she acted in violation of existing regulations. Savvaidou, who earlier refused to resign, said all of her actions had been vetted by relevant legal authorities of the state. “By law, when someone is charged with a misdemeanour, the cabinet has the ability to take such a decision (of dismissal),” a government source told Reuters. Gov spox @olgagerovasili says cabinet decided to dismiss Greece's top tax official Katerina Savvaidou. Says firms got preferential treatment Does Tsipras have a death wish? Sacking tax chief could throw entire bailout programme, including bank bailout and debt relief, off track. Continue reading...
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