Bernie Ecclestone explains why he was stopped by police at Portuguese airport
- Former Formula One executive Bernie Ecclestone was questioned by police at Cascais airport near Lisbon after arriving in Portugal with an undocumented shotgun.
- The 95-year-old said he had brought the weapon from Switzerland to compete in a clay pigeon shooting contest, but lacked the required firearm documentation known as a blue book.
- Ecclestone denied reports that he was arrested during the incident, explaining that he spent around an hour speaking with four police officers and customs officials.
- He agreed to “surrender” the firearm to Portuguese customs in Lisbon, where authorities will determine if it can be granted a temporary import upon payment of duty.
- The event follows a similar incident four years prior in Sao Paulo, Brazil, where Ecclestone had a handgun confiscated by police before attempting to board a flight.
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