Queens Park Rangers midfielder Joey Barton has clarified his views on why Formula 1 world champion Lewis Hamilton is a "terrible role model" by reiterating that the sportsman should "pay his share of tax".
The 32-year-old criticised the outcome of the public vote when Hamilton was crowned the BBC's Sports Personality of the Year on Sunday.
Hamilton, who was born in Stevenage and now resides in Monaco, scooped the gong after winning the second championship title of his career with Mercedes.
Today, Barton tweeted: "When I stated Lewis Hamilton to be a 'bad role model' it was nothing to do with his behaviour. And everything to do with his tax status. Should all our aspiring youngsters (not just in sport) dream of earning lots of cash and moving asap to a tax free state/country? He's free to do what he wants, as many do. For me it just sets a worrying precedent. Especially his profile and status.
"If we all did that, this country would be f**ked. Forget the people he employed. Forget he pays tax in 19/20 countries, as he claims. He has to pay tax in them for on prize money. But he pays the minimum required. Now remember where he was educated. Whose NHS he used. Which country gave him and his family for generations the opportunity to flourish and develop as a human beings.
"I don't think it's too much to ask, for arguable (as voted for by BBC viewers) the most popular sportsman in the UK to pay his share of tax. Not asking for a limb. Nobody likes paying tax. Especially, when it seems like these muppets in government waste it. But it's imperative to protect the common good of society that the wealthiest don't scarper with the money they earn. Especially so publicly. That's cleared that up..."
Golfer Rory McIlroy, who won back-to-back Majors this year, came second in the vote, while long-distance runner Jo Pavey, who won 10,000m gold at the European Championships, came third.
Danielle Joynson
