AN ACCOUNTANT who refused to pay his tax bill in case it is
used to fund a war in Iraq was yesterday ordered to settle his bill by
magistrates.
Quaker Roy Prockter appeared in court for non-payment after he insisted he
would only settle the bill if the Inland Revenue guaranteed it was not used for
military purposes.
Prockter, 47, of Oak Close, Thorpe-le-Soken, near Clacton, told Colchester
magistrates: "My conscience directs me not to pay."
He added: "I am not willing to pay somebody else to murder in my
name."
He said he had sent a cheque for £145.90 when he was supposed to but had made
it payable to the UK Government Non-Military Resolution Fund - which does not
exist.
Court clerk Alison Ball asked the father-of-two if he agreed with the tax
calculation and after Prockter said he did she directed the magistrates at
Colchester to make an order for him to pay a total of £176,25, including costs.
Afterwards, Mr Prockter said he felt strongly that his taxes should not be used
to fund war in Iraq but said if bailiffs were sent to his house he would pay
up.
"I am trying to make the point that I am very willing to pay my taxes but
I am not willing if is used for military purposes.
"This issue would affect people of all religions and people who have no
religion. I know people who feel the same and they are Anglican, Catholic,
Buddhist and one or two are of no particular religion at all.
"I would like to pay my taxes in the knowledge that they are being used
for peaceful means of resolving conflict - I would rather do something
positive.
"Fighting only makes things worse. If nobody had armies then no-one would
need armies. I know we are a long way from that but every journey starts with
the first step. War isn't about solving conflict, it is about power."