‘He doesn’t have to prove anything,’ defence closes in barrister’s £2m tax trial

2 Jul 2026

Defence gives final argument to jury in £2m trial of top tax lawyer, as defendant shares ‘genuine concern that HMRC don’t always play fair’ and evidence that ‘torpedoed the prosecution’

The defence has delivered its closing speech to a jury at Southwark Crown Court, in the £2m trial of top tax barrister Robert Venables KC.

At the start of the trial six weeks ago, barrister for the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), Julian Christopher KC, claimed that Venables ‘paid almost £2m less tax than he should have done.’

Following the prosecution’s closing arguments yesterday, the defence barrister opened his speech describing the ‘rather eccentric case of Mr Venables.’

Stuart Biggs KC of Cloth Fair Chambers, explained to the jury ‘one of the problems’, he faced as defence barrister, stating: ‘I cannot ask you any questions… I can’t ask you what you have made of Robert Venables.’

Biggs con