Arctic Monkeys among musicians named and shamed in tax avoidance scheme

All four members of Arctic Monkeys are among a number of musicians and celebrities who have been named as being part of a controversial tax avoidance scheme, according to reports.

A secret database leaked to The Times newspaper revealed around 1,600 people who tried to shelter £1.2billion through an 'aggressive tax avoidance scheme' known as the 'Liberty' tax strategy.

While a range of doctors, businessmen and QCs were involved alongside Sir Michael Caine and others, many bands and artists were also named and shamed.

The Time report that all four members of Arctic Monkeys each paid between £38,000 and £84,000 in fees to shelter between £557,000 and £1.1 million - Alex Turner, Jamie Cook, Nick O’Malley and Matt Helders have so far refused to comment. 

It is also claimed that Katie Melua tried to shelter £500,000 through Liberty in 2008 - two years before she told the public that half of her income went on tax, and was nominated Christian Aid’s Tax Superhero Award. Her lawyers then said she only used the scheme under her accountants' advice and has since repaid said cash to the HMRC.

Meanwhile, George Michael is said to have tried to shelter £6.2 million. A spokesman said that is currently 'too busy' to comment.