Top tax barrister ‘cheated HMRC of £2m’

A top barrister, who saw himself as an ‘adversary’ of the taxman, failed to pay HMRC nearly £2m, a court heard. Robert Venables KC, 78, set up partnerships, companies and trusts to avoid paying income tax on his earnings, it is alleged. Venables, based at Old Square Tax Chambers in the heart of London’s legal district, denies three counts of cheating the public revenue. He appeared at Southwark Crown Court wearing a light beige suit, white shirt and tie. Prosecutor…