David Beckham's bid for knighthood 'in jeopardy' as new book discusses 'financial secrets'

dailyrecord.co.uk:

David Beckham's hopes for a knighthood could be up in the air, according to a new book delving into his previous tax affairs.The book, penned by Tom Bower, alleges that the footballer, who is "obsessed with money", regularly sought advice on how to legally reduce his UK tax bill.

His aspirations of becoming Sir David were thwarted in 2014 when HMRC raised concerns.It comes as Beckham was announced last month as an ambassador for the King's Foundation, which insiders suggest could bolster his chances of receiving a knighthood.

However, Bower asserts that Beckham was less fond of the UK when it came to HMRC taxing high earners at 40 per cent.In 'The House of Beckham', Bower meticulously outlines how the football star aimed to pay less UK tax, primarily because he was "thrilled to be rich" and "terrified by the prospect of sliding back into a constrained standard of living.

Opportunities to legally avoid taxes abounded," according to Bower.The writer describes how a forensic accountant who sifted through the football legend's accounts was left "baffled" by the complexity of their "opaque" financial arrangements.