BERNIE ECCLESTONE QUESTIONED OVER SHOTGUN AT PORTUGUESE AIRPORT

Bernie Ecclestone, the former Formula One executive, was questioned by police at Cascais airport near Lisbon on Monday after arriving with a shotgun, according to his account to the Press Association. The 95-year-old stated he had brought the firearm into Portugal to participate in a clay pigeon shooting competition. He said he surrendered the weapon to authorities because he lacked required documentation, specifically a blue book passport for the gun. Ecclestone denied that he was arrested, though one report characterised the incident as an arrest.

Ecclestone told the Press Association he spoke with customs officers and four police officers for approximately one hour. He explained that his wife had encouraged him to join the shooting event after meeting someone who was entering a competition. Ecclestone stated he had imported guns properly into Switzerland previously and used them for clay pigeon shooting there. He said he had purchased the shotgun in England and transported it to Switzerland through normal channels before bringing it to Portugal.

Ecclestone headed Formula One for four decades before being ousted in 2017. He said customs personnel were familiar with him and initially asked only if he had anything to declare. According to his account, police approached him after he had passed through customs and asked about the firearm and the missing blue book documentation for the weapon.