In response to Alistair Thompson: A simple flat rate of income tax would sweep away the hypocritical row over avoidance and evasion, Regislea wrote:

I worked in London for years pre-Thatcher and finding ways to minimise tax – albeit legally – was a constant source of debate in the pub (or wine bar – remember those?).

Some years later, I ran a company in Hong Kong. Never once did anyone ask me to approve some sort of adjustment in their salary to minimise their tax. At 15 per cent, it just wasn’t worth the effort.