False statement offence
9.—(1) It is an offence for a person knowingly or recklessly—
(a)to publish or cause to be published, for the purposes of these Regulations, a report or any information, or
(b)to make, for any such purpose, a statement,
that is misleading, false or deceptive in a material particular.
(2) A person guilty of an offence under this regulation is liable on summary conviction—
(a)in England and Wales, to a fine;
(b)in Scotland or Northern Ireland, to a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale.
(3) No proceedings are to be brought under this regulation—
(a)in England and Wales except by or with consent of the Secretary of State or the Director of Public Prosecutions;
(b)in Northern Ireland except by or with consent of the Secretary of State or the Director of Public Prosecutions for Northern Ireland.