Bernie Ecclestone: trial date set for former Formula One boss over £400m fraud charge

Ex-Formula One boss Bernie Ecclestone faces trial in October next year accused of failing to declare more than £400 million in a trust in Singapore to the Government.

The 91-year-old appeared at Southwark Crown Court on Tuesday charged with a single count of fraud by false representation between 13 July 2013 and 5 October 2016.

The billionaire, who will turn 92 later this month, was charged following an investigation by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) into his finances.

What happened during the court appearance?

He is alleged to have failed to declare a trust in Singapore with a bank account containing around 650 million US dollars as part of the probe, which would have allowed the business magnate to draw a line under any previous tax irregularities.

Ecclestone arrived at court in the back of his white Range Rover, with a personalised number plate, before his driver opened the door for him.

His wife, Fabiana Flosi, was in the same car but entered the building separately as Ecclestone faced the waiting media photographers and camera operators.

Wearing glasses, a dark grey three-piece suit, white shirt and grey tie with blue stripes, he was allowed to sit in court behind his lawyers rather than in the dock because of his hearing difficulties, while his wife watched from the public gallery.

Ecclestone stood to confirm his name before prosecutor Alexander Langhorn and Clare Montgomery KC, defending, asked for time to discuss directions.

When the hearing resumed, the defendant was not asked to formally enter a plea and Judge Deborah Taylor fixed a trial date for 9 October next year.

How long will the trial last?

Mr Langhorn said the trial is expected to last up to six weeks, potentially sitting half days because of the “defendant’s fitness to participate”, while the judge said he may not be required “to be present throughout”.

Ecclestone previously indicated he would enter a not guilty plea at a hearing at Westminster Magistrates’ Court in August.

The charge alleges that Ecclestone, who has three grown-up daughters – Deborah, 67, Tamara, 38, and Petra, 33 – and a young son, allegedly made a representation to officers of HMRC, “which was, and which he knew was or might have been, untrue or misleading”.

The particulars state that Ecclestone claimed “he had established only a single trust, that being one in favour of his daughters” and “other than the trust established for his daughters he was not the settlor nor beneficiary of any trust in or outside the UK”.