A barrister who was jailed for three years after admitting a £274,000 tax fraud has been disbarred.

Michael Roberts, formerly of New Square Chambers, was ordered to be disbarred following a disciplinary tribunal on 28 October.

Roberts was convicted in 2014 for making a false statutory declaration and failing to declare his earnings or pay income tax, national insurance and VAT.

Reading Crown Court heard that Roberts did not submit tax returns to mislead HM Revenue and Customs into assuming he was not working.

He was arrested in July 2012 when his premises were searched and bank accounts and computer records examined.

Roberts, who in 2007 set up his own legal practice specialising in insolvency cases and commercial and property law, was released earlier this year but has not practised since.

Sara Jagger, director of professional conduct at the Bar Standards Board, said: ‘All barristers have a duty to conduct themselves with honesty and integrity.’