A former London partner at international firm Sidley Austin is one of 10 individuals who have been charged with tax fraud over a film investment scheme.

Matthew Cahill, who has been charged with conspiracy to cheat the public revenue, was admitted in 1992. He has left Sidley Austin for personal reasons, according to a spokesman for the firm.

According to the Financial Times, the 10 have been charged over their alleged involvement with Zeus Partners, a business which sold film schemes generating tax relief to wealthy investors. It reports that an issue in the case is whether a £134m investment scheme sold by the company in 2008 was abusive.

The Crown Prosecution Service confirmed that Cahill has been charged with two counts of conspiracy to cheat and one count of cheating HM Revenue & Customs.

Criminal defence firm Corker Binning, which has been instructed to represent Cahill, declined to comment.

A spokesperson for Sidley Austin, said: ‘Matthew Cahill has withdrawn from the firm for personal reasons. The personal reasons are not related to the business of the firm or any legal work performed by Matthew while at the firm.’