Accused fraudster was ‘more interested in science’

A conservationist accused of involvement in a £60m tax dodge told a fellow academic that money was nothing to with him, a court heard. Professor Ian Swingland OBE, 69, allegedly took part in a three-year scam which helped wealthy investors avoid tax on £170m worth of income. Anthony Blakey, 65, John Banyard, 67, Martin King, 54, and Andrew Bascombe, 58, are also accused of involvement in the scheme. Swingland, who was given his OBE in 2007, founded the Durrell Institute…