Bernie Ecclestone was detained in Portugal on Monday after customs authorities found him in possession of an undocumented shotgun. The Guardian has independently confirmed the incident with multiple authorities involved in the matter. The detention of the 95‑year‑old took place at Tires Aerodrome in Cascais, shortly after the former Formula One chief’s private jet landed.
After a routine inspection of the aircraft and its passengers, authorities reportedly discovered a shotgun in Ecclestone’s possession. He was stopped for questioning by Portuguese officials and said the gun was for use in clay pigeon shooting. Under standard procedure in such cases, the firearm is seized and the person found carrying it is formally made a defendant in criminal proceedings.
It is not yet known what the outcome of Ecclestone’s case will be. Responding to reports he had been arrested, Ecclestone told the Press Association: “No. The police were very helpful and doing all they could to stop us from having to do what we had to do.” Explaining the events, Ecclestone told PA: “I was going to take part in Portugal in a clay pigeon shooting competition, which I only knew about a few days ago because Fabiana [his wife] met someone when she was coming back from Brazil to Portugal.
He said he was entering into a clay pigeon competition. Why don’t you turn up and join?’ And I said: ‘Well, that wouldn’t be a bad idea.’ … As I have got guns already in Switzerland, which have been imported properly, because we do a bit of clay pigeon shooting there, I brought the gun in with me. They said: ‘Anything to declare?’ I said: ‘No, nothing really, just all the usual personal things.’ “So I walked out and, as I got out, one of my people with me said: ‘The police have asked if you would go and see them.’ I went to see the police and said: ‘What can I do for you?’ And they said: ‘We would like some information on this gun you brought in.’ “I didn’t even unzip the case.
I said: ‘Well, it is a shotgun and this is the reason.’ And they asked where is the blue book for the gun? And I said: ‘I don’t know, I have never heard about a blue book in my life.’ “They said: ‘Yes, well anyone with these guns should always have the book, it is like a passport. Incidentally, I want to look at your passport, too,’ which they took.
And they said: ‘Where is the blue book?’ And I said: ‘I just told you, I don’t know about the blue book.’ “There were about four police guys and they said: ‘What you have done is try to import a gun into the country.’ I said: ‘I have not tried to do that. I have come through customs, and here I am with you’. We went back to the customs, and the police had complained to customs, and the customs officer said: ‘You need to surrender the gun here in Lisbon and then we will look at it there, and do you want to import it?
Extract — continue reading at the source.
