A MILLIONAIRE ex-pat businessman has received the backing of his adopted country in his fight against the Government.

Robert Gaines-Cooper, who owns a 28-acre property in Harpsden, is accused of owing millions of pounds in back taxes — despite having left Britain more than 30 years ago.

In November, a High Court judge ruled that he is liable to pay tax even though he spent no more than 91 days a year in Britain between 1993 and 2004.

Now the government of the Seychelles, where Mr Gaines-Cooper was granted citizenship in 2007, has agreed to support him.

In a letter to the British Government, Secretary of State Alain Butler Payette paid tribute to Mr Gaines-Cooper’s contributions to the island, including his help in preserving part of its “magnificent legacy” and the jobs he provides. He added: “Mr Gaines-Cooper is married to a Seychellois and has a son with Seychellois citizenship.

“Following 33 years of financial and personal involvement in the community, he continues to be a valuable contributor to the Seychelles and is considered by the Government to be both resident and domiciled here.”

Mr Gaines-Cooper said: “This is a great accolade and certainly not something I solicited.”

The news cames just days after he was granted leave to appeal against the High Court ruling.

He has always denied that his property at Old Place, Harpsden, is a permanent residence and argued his heart was in the Seychelles, where he has lived since 1976.

The Reading-born tycoon, whose son James went to Rupert House School in Henley, began a successful juke box business in England in 1958. He then set up companies in Canada, America, Italy, Singapore, Jersey, Cyprus and the Seychelles.

Mr Gaines-Cooper insists he “made a break” from the UK and that his chief residence ever since has been his house in the Seychelles.

Commissioners for Inland Revenue and Customs disagreed, pointing out he had maintained Old Place, which they claimed is home to his collection of paintings, classic cars and guns.

They alleged his second wife, Jane, and son had lived there while James went to Rupert House and that his will had been drawn up under English law.


Published on 05 May 2009