The dispute between the Firearm Licensing Authority (FLA) and the Manchester businessman over a machine at the centre of a probe, has escalated into court proceedings.
Attorney-at-Law John Junor, who represents the businessman, has confirmed that a claim has been made against the FLA stemming from its restriction of access to the machine.
The controversy began in March after the FLA announced that it started a probe into the operations of the businessman, and after it seized the machine because of its capacity to manufacture component parts for guns.
Junor who had questioned the basis of the seizure as the machine is used legitimately, told RJR News that the tensions escalated and his client was still being prevented from having access to the machine, so he was left with no choice.
“Not having heard anything further since March 20, we proceeded to file an action and a demand letter because our client has been wrongfully deprived the use of his machine. We wrote a letter on October 5 to the Chief Executive Officer in respect of the matter and demanded that the machine be released.
Junor has also expressed surprise at communication he has received from the FLA about the matter which he finds strange.
He told RJR News that the FLA seems to be suggesting that the machine was not seized or withheld from his client.
“We wrote a letter on October 5, demanding that the machine be released to us. It gave a seven day notice period for that to happen. They replied to us saying that the authority at no time indicated to our client that the machine was being detained …”
Despite this , Junor remains firm that the FLA breached his client’s rights and he’s seeking several remedies from the court.
“Be that as it may, we have filed and served and we will continue to press for the damages that are appropriate …..” Junor said.