Chris Coverdale, who lives in the Mint, has withheld payment of his council tax because he thinks it is illegal for him to pay it. By paying the tax he argues he would be complicit in funding an illegal war. He was ordered by the Hastings’ court to make a first monthly payment of £50 within 28 days ie by August 27th, or be sent to jail. Following the magistrates’ ruling Coverdale wrote to Rother District Council (RDC) on August 18th enclosing his first cheque, which was post-dated August 27th, to comply with the court’s requirements and allow him to avoid going to jail.
At the moment the judiciary and Coverdale are at loggerheads. Coverdale believes that if war is an illegal act by a government then paying tax to that government, or to a government agency like RDC, is also a crime under anti-terrorist legislation. On the assumption that every war fought since 2001 against Afghanistan, Iraq and Libya is illegal under international law then a person paying tax to a government undertaking such a war becomes an accessory to a crime. The courts have steadfastly refused to accept such arguments.
Coverdale has always maintained that he is a law-abiding citizen who has sought confirmation that by paying his taxes he is not abetting an illegal act. Until he receives such legal assurance he considers it his duty as a citizen not to pay the tax.
Having made around 60 appearances arguing his case in the last 12 years Coverdale has amassed a considerable amount of material to support his claim. However, he has yet to convince the courts. When the High Court and a subsequent judicial review ruled that his case was frivolous, a term that Coverdale finds particularly insulting, he appealed to the Court of Appeal. The appeal court supported the earlier decision so he then appealed to the Supreme Court which upheld the decision of the lower courts.
So where does Coverdale stand at the moment? Having sent off the first cheque Coverdale considers he has complied with the magistrates’ court’s immediate concern. However, if the cheque has been cashed by the council then Coverdale would see that as an illegal act which he will report to Sussex Police and ask them to investigate. Coverdale firmly believes, in the absence of “definitive proof” from RDC and the Supreme Court that collection and payment of tax is not a criminal offence, that he should not involve himself in a crime by paying the tax that funds an illegal war. He feels he must carry on this dispute because by collecting tax RDC is failing in its duty to uphold the law.
For further information on this issue and a detailed analysis of the basis for Coverdale’s arguments visit the website: www.makewarhistory.co.uk.