In the wake of a row over comedian Jimmy Carr’s tax arrangements an MP has spoken out against "shady" tax avoidance schemes.

Tom Brake, MP for Carshalton and Wallington, is sponsoring Labour MP Michael Meacher’s Private Member’s Bill to outlaw any financial transaction in which the primary purpose is tax avoidance or evasion.

The Bill, introduced into the House of Commons last Thursday, would place the onus on a suspected tax cheat to prove that a given transaction was legitimate.

Under the new legislation, HMRC would have the power to declare a dubious transaction null and void, leaving the company to challenge it in court.

Mr Brake said: "We must stop those citizens and corporations who have the means but not the inclination to fulfil their financial obligations during their responsibilities.

"If we are all in this together, they must cough up their fair share of taxes."