Does EEA family permit override previous immigration history

[bojans]

Hello there. Question for all you knowledgeable guys.
I'm a national of an Eastern European country (outside EU).
I came to this country in 1995, overstayed my visa for 2 years, then applied for asylum in 1997. I was refused and all my appeals where exhausted in 2003.
However, I was never issued with deportation order (or at least I am not aware of).
I got married to my German wife in 2004 (here in the UK), got 5 years EEA family stamp in my passport later that year. I traveled outside UK 2 times since than and never got asked any questions by immigration officer (apart if my wife was still in the UK).
However, a friend of mine with the same status (married to a EEA wife), who was traveling for a holiday last month was "grilled" by a immigration officer at Heathrow when he came back. He was asked if if he had any immigration offenses in the past.
Now I don't really know what to answer if I got asked the same question when I travel next month.
I was under impression that EEA family permit is "above" any national immigration laws, but do you guys have any advice if I got asked any of those questions about my immigration past.
Many thanks.

[thsths]

Now I don't really know what to answer if I got asked the same question when I travel next month.

The correct answer is always the truth.

I was under impression that EEA family permit is "above" any national immigration laws, but do you guys have any advice if I got asked any of those questions about my immigration past.

Well, to a certain extend it is, so you do not have to be overly worried. However, if you gave any wrong information on the application, they may try to use that against you.

Tom