Bernie Ecclestone to stand trial next year on £400m fraud charge

Bernie Ecclestone, the 91-year-old ex-Formula One boss, will have to wait until next October to face trial accused of fraud, it has emerged.

The tycoon is facing one charge of fraud by false representation after being accused of failing to declare more than £400 million held in a trust in Singapore.

The billionaire, who will turn 92 later this month, was charged following an investigation by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) into his finances.

Appearing at Southwark Crown Court, Mr Eccelstone was not asked to formally enter a plea and Judge Deborah Taylor fixed a trial date for October 9 next year.

The case is expected to last up to six weeks, potentially sitting half days because of the "defendant's fitness to participate", while the judge said he may not be required "to be present throughout".

Mr Ecclestone previously indicated he would enter a not guilty plea at a hearing at Westminster Magistrates' Court in August.

He arrived at court in the back of his white Range Rover, with a personalised number plate, before his driver opened the door for him.

His wife, Fabiana Flosi, was in the same car but entered the building separately as Mr Ecclestone faced the waiting media photographers and camera operators.

Wearing glasses, a dark grey three-piece suit, white shirt and grey tie with blue stripes, he was allowed to sit in court behind his lawyers rather than in the dock because of his hearing difficulties, while his wife watched from the public gallery.

The charge alleges that Mr Ecclestone, who has three daughters - Deborah, 67, Tamara, 38, and Petra, 33 - and a young son, Ace, allegedly made a representation to officers of HMRC, "which was, and which he knew was or might have been, untrue or misleading".