THE son of a farmer who reportedly took his own life over fears of crushing tax rises has slammed Keir Stamer’s last hour U-turn.

John Charlesworth, 78, was tragically found dead on his 70-acre farm – just hours before Rachel Reeves unveiled huge hikes in her Budget last year.

John Charlesworth, 78, was tragically found dead on his 70-acre farmCredit: PA

He was said to be devastated at the thought his relatives might lose his £2million estateCredit: PA

The PM quietly announced that the inheritance tax threshold at which the levy applies will riseCredit: Alamy
He was said to be devastated at the thought his relatives might lose his £2million estate, which had been in the family since 1957.

In her Budget, the Chancellor announced dramatic plans to charge 20 per cent inheritance tax on agricultural estates worth over £1million.

And son Jonathan said it was ‘the final straw’ for his dad, who had been caring for his sick wife on their farm in Barnsley, South Yorks.

Earlier this week, the PM quietly announced that the inheritance tax threshold at which the levy applies will rise from £1million to £2.5million.

But Jonathan has slammed the half-hearted U-turn as “too little, too late” for his dad, who had been left petrified by the doom-mongering.

Speaking to The Telegraph, he claimed his father would “definitely” still be alive if not for the PM’s botched handling of the dreaded “family tax”.

Jonathan fumed: “If we’d known that, if it had been this [£2.5m threshold], he would definitely, definitely still be here.

“I would imagine the Prime Minister has suddenly realised that he could have quite a few deaths on his hands if he doesn’t do something.

“The realisation hits, you’re going to be causing the deaths of your own people. The Government should serve the people, not punish them.”

Jonathan first revealed the tragic news of his father’s death in an anonymous post on the British Farming Forum.

He wrote in the post: ‘This morning I found my dad in the barn having taken his own life.

“So afraid of the inheritance tax implications on farms he took his own life rather than see the government take half the farm.

“As a family, we are devastated and in shock! This is the human cost of government policy or potential government policy.

“They claim to be for the working man, no man worked harder than dad.

“He increased the acreage from my grandad’s day and was proud of what he achieved.”

In the post, Jonathan also claimed they believed their father planned to ‘beat the Budget by ending his life’

The PM reportedly personally intervened after 14 months of angry protests, led by Clarkson’s Farm star Jeremy Clarkson.

Thousands of farmers marched on Westminster waving signs like “Keir Starmer farmer harmer” and “No farmers, no food, no future.”

Spouses will now be able to pass on up to £5million in agricultural assets before being hit by inheritance tax.

The change will cut the number of estates affected from 375 to 185 and cost the Treasury £130m.

But critics have slammed them move, suggesting it raises fresh questions about Labour’s grip on power.

Labour MPs representing rural constituencies expressed fury at the tax raid since it was announced at last year’s Budget by Rachel Reeves.

Jeremy Clarkson joins thousands of farmers outside Downing StreetCredit: Getty

Thousands of farmers marched on WestminsterCredit: PA

Despite MPs lobbying the PM to change course for more than a year, he continued to defend the moveCredit: Alamy
Despite lobbying the PM to change course for more than a year, he continued to defend the move as recently last week.

Just this month the government suspended an MP, Markus Campbell Savours, for rebelling on the farming inheritance tax.

Tory leader Kemi Badenoch hailed the move as a “big win” for her party’s campaign against the hated tax.

She said: “This is a huge U-turn by the government and a big win for the Conservative Party’s campaign against Labour’s Family Farm Tax.

“I was told to drop our campaign, that there weren’t many votes in it, there weren’t many farmers, and people assumed they were wealthy.”

The Lib Dems called for Sir Keir to go further and scrap the tax altogether.

The party’s rural affairs spokesman, Tim Farron MP, said the uncertainty farmers faced over inheritance tax changes has been “utterly inexcusable”.

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He added: “It is utterly inexcusable that family farmers have been put through over a year of uncertainty and anguish…

“Liberal Democrats were the first to call out and oppose the unfair family farm tax in last years Budget.

“We have been proud to stand alongside our farming communities to campaign against it ever since.”

Tom Bradshaw, President of the National Farmers’ Union, said the move “will come as a huge relief to many”.

He added: “While there is still tax to pay, this will greatly reduce that tax burden for many family farms, those working people of the countryside.”

The farm tax change is the latest in an ever-growing line of U-turns by the PM.

Public fury combined with pressure from backbenchers has already seen Sir Keir change his mind on winter fuel payments.

He has also back-tracked on welfare reform, workers’ rights and a national inquiry into grooming gangs.

Since being elected, the PM has also changed his position on what defines a woman and slashing the international aid budget.

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But most famously voters have expressed fury at U-turns on key promises not to hike VAT, National Insurance or income tax.

If you are affected by any of the issues raised in this article, please call the Samaritans for free on 116123.

The PM reportedly personally intervened after 14 months of angry protestsCredit: PA