Roman Polanski said he will settle any council tax debt tied to his London houseboat, according to the BBC. The filmmaker, who has lived on the vessel in Waltham Forest, awaits a formal determination from the local council about any outstanding payments.
Polanski's statement comes as the houseboat residency rekindled debate over his presence in the UK. The 91-year-old director, convicted of unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor in California in 1977 and a fugitive from U.S. justice for decades, has maintained a low profile in Europe. His London base on a houseboat allowed him to skirt certain residency requirements while remaining in the country.
Council tax disputes involving high-profile figures often attract scrutiny, and Polanski's case proved no exception. The Green Party leadership weighed in on the matter, pressing for clarity on tax obligations and whether the director had fully complied with local regulations.
Polanski's willingness to pay any owed amounts suggests he aims to resolve the issue without escalating conflict with local authorities. The council must now determine the exact figure and timeline for settlement.
The filmmaker's decades in self-imposed exile across Europe have made him a polarizing figure. While his films remain studied in cinema, his legal status in Britain and abroad remains contentious. This houseboat tax matter, though administratively routine, resurrects broader questions about his residency status and obligations in the UK that continue to divide public opinion.