#12 The Francovich Claim
#11 In the High Court
Guests

A lawyer from a swanky law firm helps Richard (pro bono) to sue HMRC, the UK tax authority for damages due to their slowness to act against the Channel Islands tax loophole and shut it down, resulting in the loss of his business. Then Brexit happens.

Music (in order of use) is courtesy of Cherry Red Records: Forbidden Love by Nick Riff, Chimera by Jeff Tarlton and Watching the Sky by Kryptastedie.

This is a Tax Justice Network podcast with Naomi Fowler of the Taxcast podcast. Produced by Naomi Fowler and Leo Schick and sound designed by Leo Schick.

Jargon
Offshore

A tax haven or secrecy jurisdiction is a place that deliberately provides an escape route for people or entities who live or operate elsewhere. They shield them from whatever taxes, criminal laws, financial regulations, transparency or other constraints they don’t like. Ordinary people whose lives are affected by tax haven laws are not consulted on these laws because they live in other countries: they have no say in how those laws are made, thus undermining their democratic rights.

Tax Avoidance

Tax evasion is an illegal – usually criminal – activity, by which a taxpayer escapes tax through deception. Tax avoidance, on the other hand, means getting around (or avoiding) the spirit of the law without actually breaking the law. There is a large grey area between the two poles of avoidance and evasion.

Tax Evasion

Tax evasion is an illegal – usually criminal – activity, by which a taxpayer escapes tax through deception. Tax avoidance, on the other hand, means getting around (or avoiding) the spirit of the law without actually breaking the law. There is a large grey area between the two poles of avoidance and evasion.

Tax Haven

A tax haven or secrecy jurisdiction is a place that deliberately provides an escape route for people or entities who live or operate elsewhere. They shield them from whatever taxes, criminal laws, financial regulations, transparency or other constraints they don’t like. Ordinary people whose lives are affected by tax haven laws are not consulted on these laws because they live in other countries: they have no say in how those laws are made, thus undermining their democratic rights.

More episodes
Mar 13
2026
The Corruption Diaries
#11 In the High Court
Richard Allen's fight goes all the way to the High Court and he's armed with two top barristers Valentina Sloane and Christopher Vajda, up against the Channel Islands and the UK's historic, unspoken hands-off approach to their tax abuse schemes.
View full episode info
Mar 6
2026
The Corruption Diaries
#10 RAVAS: Retailers Against VAT Abuse Schemes
Richard has a breakthrough in his campaign against the Channel Islands tax loophole, saving the UK  hundreds of millions of pounds a year in dodged taxes. But then his story takes a new twist...
View full episode info
Feb 27
2026
The Corruption Diaries
#9 The European Commission
Richard realises he can't keep his business going any more, he gets 'lawyered up' and discovers that the European Commission is up for fighting against the UK.
View full episode info
Feb 20
2026
The Corruption Diaries
#8 The fight to stop LVCR
Richard goes into battle against the Channel Islands tax loophole, the businesses taking advantage of it and the failure of the UK's tax authority to take action.
View full episode info
Feb 13
2026
The Corruption Diaries
#7 The Channel Islands loophole
It was the early days of online retail, and sales were booming but Richard is being undercut by other businesses. Then he discovers the magical world of  'offshore fulfillment.'
View full episode info