(1)Any person who—
(a)wilfully obstructs an officer of an enforcement authority acting in pursuance of this Act; or
(b)wilfully fails to comply with any requirement properly made to him by such an officer under section 162; or
(c)without reasonable cause fails to give such an officer (so acting) other assistance or information he may reasonably require in performing his functions under this Act,
commits an offence.
[F1(1A)A failure to give assistance or information shall not constitute an offence under subsection (1)(c) if it is also—
(a)a failure to comply with a requirement imposed under section 33A or 33B;
(b)a failure to comply with section 36A; or
(c)a failure in relation to which the OFT can apply for an order under section 36E.]
(2)If any person, in giving such information as is mentioned in subsection (1)(c), makes any statement which he knows to be false, he commits an offence.
(3)Nothing in this section requires a person to answer any question or give any information if to do so might incriminate that person or (where that person is [F2married or a civil partner) the spouse or civil partner] of that person.
Textual Amendments
F1S. 165(1A) inserted (6.4.2008) by Consumer Credit Act 2006 (c. 14), ss. {51(4)}, 71(2); S.I. 2007/3300, art. 3(2), Sch. 2
F2Words in s. 165(3) substituted (5.12.2005) by Civil Partnership Act 2004 (c. 33), s. 261(1), Sch. 27 para. 50; S.I. 2005/3175, art. 2(2)-(5)