Bernie Ecclestone to stand trial on £400 million fraud charge

Former Formula One boss Bernie Ecclestone is to stand trial on fraud charges.

The 91 year old is charged with one count of fraud by making false representations and failing to declare more than £400 million of assets to the UK Exchequer.

Mr Ecclestone stood in front of the dock in court number one at Southwark Crown Court in London to confirm his name as Bernard Charles Ecclestone.

He has previously indicated a not guilty plea to the charge. He will formally enter his plea at a later date.

His wife Fabiana watched from the public gallery as Mr Ecclestone, wearing a dark grey suit and tie, sat with his lawyers and not in the dock due to his hearing difficulties.

The charge relates to a Trust set up for his three daughters.

Prosecutors say the alleged offence took place between July 2013 and October 2016

The charge document states that the business tycoon allegedly claimed he had "established only a single trust, that being one in favour of your daughters.." And that he was alleged to have said "other than the trust established for your daughters you were not the settlor or beneficiary of any trust in or outside the UK."

The charge follows what prosecutors have described as a "complex worldwide investigation" by His Majesty's Revenue and Customs.

Her Honour Judge Deborah Taylor granted Mr Ecclestone unconditional bail and set a trial date for the 9th October next year.