An Osborne Clarke partner has been found guilty of misconduct by a Tribunal for his attempt to silence tax expert Dan Neidle on a story over Nadhim Zahawi’s affairs.

Tax expert and former Clifford Chance lawyer Neidle revealed in July 2022 that the former Chancellor of the Exchequer lawyers were threatening him with libel action.

Zahawi’s tax affairs turned into a scandal for the former MP, forcing the then-Prime Minister to order an investigation into Zahawi in early 2023.

He was dismissed from his roles – including as Tory Party chairman – after it was revealed he had breached the Ministerial Code by failing to disclose that he was being investigated by HMRC while he served as Chancellor.

It was later revealed that he paid nearly £5m to HMRC to settle his tax affairs.

Neidle was sent emails by Ashley Hurst, a partner and head of client strategy at Osborne Clarke, which he deemed to be strategic lawsuits against public participation (SLAPPs).

It was revealed in May that Neidle referred Hurst to the legal regulator, the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA), who referred the case to the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal (SDT).