BBC Breakfast host Sian Williams has tax claim rejected

Williams has co-hosted Breakfast since 2005

BBC Breakfast host Sian Williams has had a tax claim for clothes and hairstyling rejected by a tribunal.

Williams' legal team said the items should be tax deductible because it was part of her job to look good on screen.

They added she "would be prepared to read the news without clothes" and only wore them because it was "required".

The presenter's agent said this was not an argument put forward by his client, who paid the tax as soon as she learned the items could not be claimed for.

The case went to tribunal at the behest of her accountant, who wanted to test the rules, he added.

The BBC said it would not comment on the case.

Laundry bill

Williams' tax return for the financial year 2004 - 2005, included £3,231 for clothing in the studio, £975 for hairstyling and £325 for laundry of work outfits.

Her legal team claimed that the BBC had implied Williams must not wear the same clothes more than three times a month.

A spokesman for HMRC said it could not comment on individual cases, but added that only expenses "wholly, exclusively and necessarily incurred" carried out for business were deemed acceptable claims.

Williams has co-presented Breakfast with Bill Turnbull since 2005.