Boris Johnson broke ranks with top Tories over tax dodging yesterday, saying it was “disappointing” that Boots boss Stefano Pessina had shifted profits offshore.

The London mayor’s comments disrupted a campaign by party colleagues to smear Labour leader Ed Miliband — for saying the Monaco-based billionaire Mr Pessina “ought to pay his taxes.”

Tory Lord and former M&S boss Stuart Rose was among tycoons wheeled out to declare that Mr Miliband had “waged war on business.”