Northern Irish golfer Rory McIlroy has reportedly been snubbed in this year’s New Year Honours list after UK tax officials stepped in.
The Co Down golfer had been expected to be included after winning the BBC Sports Personality of the Year award on the back of becoming the first European to complete the career grand slam in majors.
Mr McIlroy is the first Sports Personality winner in almost a decade to miss out on an honour in the same year.
According to the Daily Telegraph, the exact reason why tax officials decided to intervene is unclear at this stage.
However, McIlroy is one of many wealthy individuals who invested their cash in a controversial scheme probed by HMRC more than a decade ago.
In 2015, UK tax authorities launched a probe into investments made by the Northern Irish star and others amid concerns they had unfairly avoided tax by exploiting the Business Premises Renovation Allowance programme.
The scheme allowed investors to claim up to 100 per cent tax relief on expenditure.
The programme itself was not illegal but tax officials said at the time that they had the power to demand payments for any unfairly avoided tax.
Mr McIlroy was one of over 180 people who invested in the programme to regenerate parts of British cities including Liverpool, Birmingham, and Sheffield.
The Holywood native previously said he was happy with his involvement in the regeneration project and there is no indication that he sought to avoid tax. McIlroy was awarded an MBE after winning his first major in 2011.
Speaking in the Daily Telegraph, a Whitehall source drew parallels with Sir David Beckham’s situation, whose knighthood was delayed for several years after tax authorities flagged concerns over his involvement in an investment scheme classified by HMRC as tax avoidance. Beckham eventually received his knighthood in this year’s King’s Birthday Honours.
A spokesperson for the Co Down golfer was unavailable for comment. HMRC and the Cabinet Office also declined to comment on the matter.