Chris Coverdale in conversation with Mel Kate

In this wide-ranging conversation with Mel Kate, Chris Coverdale discusses the relationship between taxation, armed conflict and international criminal law, and explains the thinking behind Conditional Taxation Trusts.

Chris shares his own journey, from his background in organisational analysis and investigating corporate wrongdoing to his years of campaigning against the funding of war. He also talks about his experiences challenging the UK tax system, including three prison sentences arising from his refusal to pay taxes that he believed would contribute to warfare.

In this conversation, Chris discusses:

• Why he believes paying tax can raise questions of criminal responsibility when public money contributes to unlawful warfare
• UK legislation and international law relating to genocide and war crimes
• How Conditional Taxation Trusts are intended to work
• Council tax and the wider taxation system
• Trust law and holding money conditionally rather than simply refusing payment
• His experiences challenging the system through the UK courts
• Financial consent and individual responsibility
• The history of resistance to taxation and war
• Why he believes institutions as well as individuals should consider where their money ultimately goes