Romney to release tax returns

Republican presidential hopeful Mitt Romney greets supporters after addressing a primary election night rally in Columbia, South Carolina on Saturday. Inset, victorious Newt Gingrich waves at supporters after the poll result.Photo: AFP

US Republican presidential hopeful Mitt Romney has said he will release recent tax returns today after his defeat to Gingrich in South Carolina primary.
Romney, the early favourite in primary elections, appeared embarrassed during the South Carolina campaign by the issue of how much tax he paid.
Last week he said he in effect paid 15%, less than most working Americans.
The candidate winning South Carolina has gone on to win the Republican nomination in each election since 1980.
Speaking on Fox News Sunday, Romney said the question of tax had become a distraction for his campaign, and he wanted to re-focus on the main issues.
"I will release my tax returns for 2010, which is the last returns which were completed, on Tuesday of this week," he said.