Entry Clearance--need to enter UK in 6 months, fact or myth?

I was granted a HSMP 10/06, and have entry clearance valid 06/07-06/09. However, I never moved there.

I'm now thinking of moving to the UK. I will transfer with my current company so will already have a job, etc. However, I can't figure out if my HSMP/EC are still valid.

I keep reading that for the EC to be valid, one must enter the UK within 6 months of receiving the EC. Is this really true? Can someone point me to a document that says this?

Or, is it just that one needs to have been in the country for a certain amount of time to get FLR/ILR?

I doubt I will want to apply for permanent residency or citizenship, so that's not an issue. However, my company is telling me that I needed to have entered the UK within 6 months of getting my EC to keep it valid, and so now I will need a new work permit.

Would appreciate any guidance. I know I must be stupid, but I can't seem to find any conclusive answers anywhere.

Any ideas? Is this the sort of thing I can give the Home Office a call about or do I need to consult with an attorney?

See also entry period after tier 1.

Thanks--from everything I can see, it looks like there isn't a 6 month rule.

Any idea why my company would think that it would need to be exercised in the first 6 months? This seems to be a common misconception, but I can't figure out where it comes from.

giblet wrote: Any idea why my company would think that it would need to be exercised in the first 6 months? This seems to be a common misconception, but I can't figure out where it comes from.

Perhaps confusion with the work permit system?