Dezeenwire: British architect Lord Norman Foster has surrendered his seat in the House of Lords in order to retain his non-resident tax status and avoid paying full British taxes. Foster will be able to retain his title despite his resignation – The Press Association.
It’s a shame. It’s a disgrace for architectural profession.
http://archialternative.com/2010/07/09/182/
There is not much to add. What pisses me off that in every article word “Architect” is clearly emphasized. If “Lord Foster” would be a financier, or a real-estate broker, no one would mention his profession. People still associate word “Architect” with something sacral, elevated above the primitive world issues, above the business greed. People, but not “Lord Foster”.
Wikipedia: “As of April 2010 the House of Lords has 707 members”. Five of them “quit the House of Lords rather than pay full resident taxes in Britain.” One of them is an architect.