Disgraced scientist stripped of OBE after HIV cure scam

A world renowned scientist has been stripped of his OBE after he helped two fraudsters in an HIV cure tax scam.

University of Kent professor Ian Swingland, 72, aided Antony Blakey, 68, and John Banyard, 70, in their attempts to steal more than £60 million through a tax avoidance scam.

Swingland, of Alexander Close in Sandwich, helped create the fake documents, which enticed wealthy people to invest in the scheme with the promise of avoiding tax by supporting tree planting in the Amazon and research into an HIV cure.

An investigation by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) found the false documents were used to fraudulently claim expenses.

They submitted fake scientific reports to HMRC and photos to support their claims, but there was no evidence any of it had actually taken place.

Swingland, who was made an OBE in 2007’s New Year Hon- ours for services to conservation, allowed his name to be used to add credibility to the scheme.

He was found guilty on March 3, 2017 of one count of conspiring to commit fraud by false representation, receiving a two year sentence, suspended for 18 months at Southwark Crown Court on March 10, 2017.

The details can only now be revealed after reporting restrictions were lifted on Monday.

Blakey, from West Sussex, was jailed for seven and a half years that March, revised to nine years at the Court of Appeal in May 2017. Banyard, also from West Sussex, was jailed for four and a half years, revised to five and a half years at the Court of Appeal, on the same dates.