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Home » News Centre » Press Releases » Crown Prosecution Service statement regarding 'Big Brother' fur coat

Crown Prosecution Service statement regarding 'Big Brother' fur coat

01/02/2006

The Crown Prosecution Service has decided that no prosecution should follow in relation to a Colobus Monkey fur coat taken into the Big Brother house by Pete Burns.

There is no evidence to suggest that this garment was imported illegally and therefore that any offence has been committed.

Mr Burns has not been interviewed by police in relation to this matter and this decision has been reported to Mr Burns' legal representative.

  1. The legislation relating to Colobus Monkey fur states that although this breed of monkey is an endangered species, possession of the fur is not a criminal offence unless it can be proved that the person in possession was connected to its illegal importation.
  2. The legislation (Annex B of the Control of Trade in Endangered Species) came into being in 1975. For a criminal offence to have been committed, it would have to be proved that this particular coat was imported to the United Kingdom after 1975.
  3. This particular coat was deemed by experts to be in a poor condition and has been re-lined at some time in the past. It contains no labelling and it is not possible to determine where and when it was manufactured.
  4. It is believed that the pelts used to make the coat were likely to have been imported into the UK in the 1930s or 1940s when such garments were considered fashionable.
  5. All enquiries to CPS Press Office on 020 7796 8102.