A renowned conservationist who was awarded an honour for his work took part in a £60m tax-dodging scheme which used climate change projects, a court heard.

Professor Ian Swingland OBE, 69, allegedly took part in a three-year scam which helped wealthy investors avoid tax on £170m worth of income.

Swingland founded the Durrell Institute of Conservation and Ecology in 1989 at the University of Kent, a world-leading research facility into biodiversity, communities and sustainable development.

He is accused alongside four others of being involved in “the promotion of a series of dishonest tax schemes” which sheltered people with high income from paying the highest rate of tax.