**Businessman Caught Selling Luxury Perfume to Russia Avoids Charges**
A British businessman who was caught on camera selling luxury perfume to Russia has not been charged, despite evidence that he tried to conceal over £1.7 million in illegal sales.
David Crisp admitted to an undercover investigator that he had ignored government edicts by selling the “Boadicea the Victorious” perfume in Russia. The perfume is valued at £1,000 per bottle.
**Undercover Video Exposes Crisp’s Activities**
The BBC has obtained the undercover video, which shows Mr. Crisp talking to a private investigator who was posing as a businessman interested in buying his perfumes. In the conversation, Mr. Crisp says that he and his company “ignore government edicts” when it comes to selling perfume in Russia.
**No UK Convictions for Violating Russian Sanctions**
This case highlights the lack of enforcement against those who break trade sanctions on Russia. Since Moscow‘s full-scale invasion of Ukraine almost three years ago, there have been no criminal convictions in the UK for violating these sanctions.
**Concerns Over Leniency**
Senior Conservative MP Sir Iain Duncan Smith has expressed concerns that failing to punish violators sends a “bad signal” and makes the UK look like a “soft touch.” He believes that other countries, such as the US, are more effective at enforcing sanctions.
**HMRC Drops Investigation**
Despite evidence of wrongdoing, HMRC dropped its investigation into Mr. Crisp’s activities in July this year. The agency returned his passport, which had been seized upon arrival at Gatwick Airport in 2023.
**Business Partner Reacts**
Mr. Crisp’s former business partner, David Garofalo, was shocked by the lack of interest from HMRC. He hired private investigators to gather evidence and reported Mr. Crisp to HMRC, leading to a civil case against his partner.
**Calls for Tougher Action**
Sir Iain Duncan Smith believes that the UK needs to take tougher action against those who break sanctions. “If we don’t prosecute, who the hell is deterred from breaching sanctions?” he asked.
Read More @ www.bbc.com