UKBA/HMRC and the Black Spot (Statement of Truth) ## UPDATE##

This will be the third time that l know of that our Statement of Truth has been used when shoppers have been stopped by UKBA/HMRC. In all 3 incidents UKBA/HMRC have shied away from the Statement of Truth as though it is the Black Spot.

What do l mean by shied away? UKBA/HMRC officers look at it, 'read' it and then are unsure on what to do. This is new territory for them and now it's their turn to be unprepared. Each time the question arises from them "Why have you done this?"

WHY? ... because we no longer agree to play 'the game' by their bent rules and tactics, that's why! They really, really don't want you doing this because it severely disrupts and negates their tactics. They are used to interrogating you with trick questions and the like so they can get you to contradict yourself. That's all they need to confiscate your goods .... with the help of some 'Skeds' .

The Statement of Truth addresses and answers  their A-J questioning in their interrogation procedure so they now have little to work with. But here is the point, none of these 3 incidents l've mentioned have gone any further than the informal interview interrogation!

There has not been any formal interviews interrogations. None of the notebook farce either where they ask YOU to sign it as an accurate and truthful account of the interrogation (which will then be used against you) and as l've mentioned before, they refuse to give you a copy of it!

We do no such thing with our Statement of Truth, we take 2 copies and the UKBA/HMRC can choose either copy. All we ask of them is to sign to say they've RECEIVED it! Not whether it's contents are true/factual blah blah but just to say they have received it. Guess what? .... they refuse to do it!!! Yep, they want you to sign their notebook which in reality could amount to a 'confession' by you .... but THEY won't even sign a receipt for your Statement of Truth. lf that doesn't open your eyes, nothing will!

So, just take their ID numbers and write them down on your Statement of Truth (both copies), sign and date them and then leave them one. Remember you should be recording all this on audio/video

NEVER sign their notebook saying it is a true and factual account. lf you must sign, sign it without that statement or if they've already written it down for you .... cross it out and then sign.

I realise that it's only 3 incidents but you must remember that this is something new that we've implemented. l'll post all reports of using the Statement of Truth regardless of the outcome. We've done the theory now we are doing the practical. So far, so good. No tobacco/cigarettes have been confiscated.

You take out holiday insurance when you go abroad, the Statement of Truth is a form of insurance for your purchases of tobacco/cigarettes. Whatever the outcome when being stopped by UKBA/HMRC, you're in a far better position by using the Statement of Truth than not using it.