Emma Thompson and Greg Wise won't pay tax until HSBC execs "go to prison"

Actor Greg Wise and Oscar winner Emma Thompson will stage an act of civil disobedience until HMRC cracks down on HSBC over the recent tax evasion scandal.

In an interview with the Evening Standard, Wise said: “I want to stop paying tax, until everyone pays tax. I have actively loved paying tax, because I am a profound fucking socialist and I believe we are all in it together.”

“But I am disgusted with HMRC. I am disgusted with HSBC. And I’m not paying a penny more until those evil bastards go to prison,” he added.

The reaction follows the UK customs department’s decision not to prosecute anyone in the wake of leaked information revealing misconduct in HSBC’s Swiss subsidiary.

Oh Thompson’s involvement in the proposed tax boycott, Wise said: “Em’s on board. She agrees. We’re going to get a load of us together. A movement. They can’t send everyone to prison. But we’ll go to prison if necessary. I mean it. It’s going to be like 1848 all over again.”

HSBC chief executive Stuart Gulliver hid over $7m from the taxman in a Swiss account and apologised on Wednesday night.