32.—(1) A person commits an offence if that person, for the purpose of procuring a particular decision on an application to which these Regulations apply—
(a)knowingly or recklessly makes a statement which is false or misleading in a material particular;
(b)with intent to deceive, uses any document which is false or misleading in a material particular; or
(c)with intent to deceive, withholds any material information.
(2) A person who commits an offence under paragraph (1) is liable—
(a)on summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum; or
(b)on conviction on indictment, to a fine.
(3) No act or omission of the Crown constitutes an offence under this regulation.
(4) The Court of Session may, on the application of the Scottish Ministers, the chief constable or any other public body or office-holder having responsibility for enforcing this regulation, declare unlawful any act or omission of the Crown which would but for paragraph (3) be an offence under this regulation.
(5) Despite paragraph (3), this regulation applies to a person in the public service of the Crown as it applies to other persons.