Emma Watson named in Panama Papers leak, rep responds

WASHINGTON, May 11 (UPI) -- Emma Watson is among the latest public figures named in the massive Panama Papers leak.

The 26-year-old actress is reportedly a beneficiary of an offshore company based in the British Virgin Islands, but her rep denied she received tax advantages from it.

In a statement to The Spectator, Watson's spokesman said she set up the offshore company "for the sole purpose of protecting her anonymity and safety."

"UK companies are required to publicly publish details of their shareholders and therefore do not give her the necessary anonymity required to protect her personal safety, which has been jeopardized in the past owning to such information being publicly available," the rep said.

"Offshore companies do not publish these shareholder details. Emma receives absolutely no tax or monetary advantages from this offshore company whatsoever -- only privacy," they concluded.

On Monday, the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists, who were among the first to reveal the data leak to the public, published a searchable database of the Panama Papers on its website.

The Papers come from the databases of Panama-based law firm Mossack Fonseca, which has been accused of helping its clients break laws in order to maintain their wealth.