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A company that claimed it had not received a letter requesting financial information to support an O-licence application has had its appeal dismissed after evidence emerged that it was lying. The Transport Tribunal noted that the managing director of Doncaster-based BSL Logistics, which Companies House lists as Colin Browes, had written to the Traffic Area Office (TAO) acknowledging a letter dated 20 September 2007 stating adequate financial standing was missing.

BSL Logistics had applied  for a licence for ten vehicles and ten trailers, but it needed to supply the TAO with company bank statements that showed it had £38,000 readily available during the three months immediately preceding the application. When this proved difficult, the TAO suggested the company provide evidence of an overdraft facility or credit card statements showing it had access to the required funds instead.

However, the correct financial information was not provided and accordingly the North Eastern TC refused the application. BSL appealed on the grounds that the 20 September letter was never received. In its decision, the tribunal chairman Frances Burton said the TAO had made it "transparently explicit" what information was required. Burton added: "Furthermore, we note from the file that the [TAO] received a letter from the appellant company on 27 September, which specifically acknowledged receipt of the letter of the 20 September. We therefore dismiss the appeal."