Formula 1 world champion Lewis Hamilton avoided paying tax on his £16.5million private jet, according to the Paradise Papers leak.
The 32-year-old received a £3.3million VAT refund when he imported his Bombardier Challenger 605 into the Isle of Man from Canada in 2013, according to the papers.
Accountancy firm EY and Appleby allegedly helped him and others set up leasing businesses through which jets were rented, while still allowing them use of the jets for personal journeys.
Hamilton finalised the deal at Ronaldsway Airport on the Isle of Man with his then-girlfriend Nicole Sherzinger.
Any private jet purchased outside the European Union is subject to 20 per cent VAT in order that it can move freely around the continent.
Under the scheme a screen company in Guernsey leased the jet from Hamilton's British Virgin Islands company, Stealth Aviation Limited, and imported it into the Isle of Man.
Hamilton’s lawyers said a tax barrister review of the structure found that it was not illegal.
There is no suggestion Hamilton was directly involved in creating the scheme and legal sources close to him say it is practice for him to rely on professional advice.
Under UK and EU legislation, if the jet was to be used for business purposes only, he would have been entitled to a VAT rebate.
However the BBC's Panorama programme has seen documents which suggest the Mercedes star intended to make private flights about a third of the time.
Hamilton’s social media accounts show him using the plane for holidays around the world, while he has also posted photos of his two bulldogs, Roscoe and Coco, on board.
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Rita De La Feria, professor of tax law at Leeds University, told the BBC: “If private usage of the jet is being disguised as business usage of the jet, then what you essentially have is a tax avoidance scheme.
“You're using it for your own private interests, you're going on holidays, meeting friends. You're supposed to pay the tax on private consumption.”
Among others said to be named in the tranche of material is former Tory treasurer Lord Ashcroft and US President Donald Trump's commerce secretary, Wilbur Ross, who is reportedly linked to a Russian firm.
The Duchy of Lancaster, the private estate of the Queen, was found to have millions of pounds invested in offshore arrangements.
Around £10 million from the Queen's private fund was paid into funds in the Cayman Islands and Bermuda between 2004 and 2005, according to reports.
