- Asian markets mixed after subdued pre-holiday shift on Wall St
- Orban's soft power shines as Hungary hosts Israeli match
- 'Retaliate': Trump tariff talk spurs global jitters, preparations
- 'Anti-woke' Americans hail death of DEI as another domino topples
- Trump hails migration talks with Mexico president
- Truckers strike accusing Wagner of driver death in Central African Republic
- London police say 90 victims identified in new Al-Fayed probe
- Air pollution from fires linked to 1.5 million deaths a year
- Latham falls for 47 as New Zealand 104-2 in first England Test
- US tells Ukraine to lower conscription age to 18
- Judge denies Sean Combs bail: court order
- Suarez extends Inter Miami stay with new deal
- Perfect Liverpool on top of Champions League, Dortmund also among winners
- Liverpool more 'up for it' than beaten Madrid, concedes Bellingham
- Aston Villa denied late winner against Juventus
- Mexico president hails 'excellent' Trump talks after US tariff threat
- Leicester set to appoint Van Nistelrooy - reports
- Coffee price heats up on tight Brazil crop fears
- Maeda salvages Celtic draw against Club Brugge
- Villa denied late winner against Juventus
- Dortmund beat Zagreb to climb into Champions League top four
- Mbappe misses penalty as Liverpool exact revenge on Real Madrid
- Brazil's top court takes on regulation of social media
- Thousands still queuing to vote after Namibia polls close
- Trump taps retired general for key Ukraine conflict role
- Canadian fund drops bid for Spanish pharma firm Grifols
- Argentine ex-president Fernandez gives statement in corruption case
- Mexico says Trump tariffs would cost 400,000 US jobs
- Car-centric Saudi to open first part of Riyadh Metro
- Brussels, not Paris, will decide EU-Mercosur trade deal: Lula
- Faeces, vomit offer clues to how dinosaurs rose to rule Earth
- Ruby slippers from 'The Wizard of Oz' up for auction
- Spain factory explosion kills three, injures seven
- US Fed's favored inflation gauge ticks up in October
- Defence lawyers plead to judges in French mass rape trial
- US says China releases three 'wrongfully detained' Americans
- New clashes in Mozambique as two reported killed
- Romania officials to meet over 'cyber risks' to elections
- Chelsea visit next stop in Heidenheim's 'unthinkable' rise
- Former England prop Marler announces retirement from rugby
- Kumara gives Sri Lanka edge on rain-hit day against South Africa
- Namibia votes with ruling party facing toughest race yet
- Spurs goalkeeper Vicario out for 'months' with broken ankle
- Moscow expels German journalists, Berlin denies closing Russia TV bureau
- Spain govt defends flood response and offers new aid
- France says Netanyahu has 'immunity' from ICC warrants
- Nigerian state visit signals shift in France's Africa strategy
- Stock markets waver as traders weigh Trump tariffs, inflation
- Tens of thousands in Lebanon head home as Israel-Hezbollah truce takes hold
- Opposition candidates killed in Tanzania local election
Ex-F1 chief Ecclestone facing fraud claim over £400m foreign assets
Former Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone is facing a claim of fraud over an alleged failure to declare £400 million ($477 million, 473 million euros) of overseas assets to the British government, prosecutors said Monday.
Andrew Penhale, Chief Crown Prosecutor, said: "The CPS (Crown Prosecution Service) has reviewed a file of evidence from HMRC (UK Revenue and Customs) and has authorised a charge against Bernard Ecclestone of fraud by false representation in respect of his failure to declare to HMRC the existence of assets held overseas believed to be worth in excess of £400m."
He added: "The Crown Prosecution Service reminds all concerned that criminal proceedings against this defendant are now active and that they have a right to a fair trial.
"It is extremely important that there should be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice these proceedings."
The director of the HMRC's fraud investigation service, Simon York, said the investigation into the 91-year-old Ecclestone had been "complex and worldwide".
"We can confirm that a fraud by false representation charge has been authorised against Bernard Ecclestone," he said.
"This follows a complex and worldwide criminal investigation by HMRC's fraud investigation service.
"The criminal charge relates to projected tax liabilities arising from more than £400m of offshore assets which were concealed from HMRC.
The case will first be heard at London's Westminster Magistrates' Court on August 22, although it was not specified if Ecclestone would be compelled to attend.
- Businessman -
Ecclestone, a British businessman whose financial worth has been estimated at over £2.5 billion according to Forbes magazine, is widely credited with transforming Formula One into a commercial powerhouse.
Having had a brief career as a racing driver in the late 1950s, he later became the owner of the Brabham F1 team.
Ecclestone's control of Formula One developed from what was then the pioneering sale of television rights in the late 1970s.
He was, however, removed from his position as chief executive of Formula One Group in January 2017, following its takeover by Liberty Media.
Ecclestone recently caused controversy for saying he would "take a bullet" for Vladimir Putin following Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
Ecclestone had described the Russian president as a "sensible" and "first class person" who "believed he was doing the right thing for Russia".
He had also criticised Ukraine's response to Russia's military action, telling AFP last month: "Ukraine taking on Russia is a bit like me having an argument with Mike Tyson or another big boxer.
"I certainly would not have picked the fight."
Ecclestone, however, also told Sky Sports: "I'm sorry if anything I've said has upset anybody because it certainly wasn't intended."
K.Thomson--BTB