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13/07/2006
Natwest bankers on flight to USA
Three former Natwest bankers have boarded a flight bound for the United States, to face fraud charges relating to the collapse of the energy giant Enron.
David Bermingham, Gary Mulgrew and Giles Darby reported to Croydon police station in south London earlier today to meet with the US marshals who were to accompany them in board their flight from Gatwick to Houston, Texas.
UK defence lawyer for the men, Mark Spragg today said that the trial could easily have been held in the UK and the extradition to the US was unnecessary.
He said: "It's all so unnecessary, that's the real problem here. This could easily have been tried in the UK. That's where the victim is, that's where all the witnesses are, but no, the Government insisted on them being extradited on a very unfair, one-sided treaty."
An emergency debate was held in the Commons yesterday to discuss whether the men should be extradited for trial in the US.
Prime Minister Tony Blair told the House that US prosecutors would not oppose bail if appropriate conditions were met.
After a three-hour debate in the Commons, MPs voted by a majority of 242 to adjourn the discussions early in symbolic protest at the government's extradition arrangements.
On Tuesday, peers had voted in favour of suspending extradition agreements with the US until the UK-US treated had been ratified there.
The three are expected to attend a bail hearing in Texas on Friday.
The US prosecutors have suggested that the three men may be granted bail, but it is likely that they will have to remain in the immediate Houston area.
If this happens then the men could face financial difficulties, as all of their money and property will be tied up as collateral for bail, which is expected to be a considerable amount.
If found guilty, they could spend up to 23 years in jail.
Each of the accused is alleged to have made around £1m each out of a complex fraud scheme.
Another banker, Neil Coulbeck, who had been questioned by the FBI as a potential witness in the Enron fraud case, was found dead in London earlier in the week.
It is not yet known if his death is linked to the case and police have said they are treating it as "unexplained."
Enron collapsed in 2001 after admitting inflating profits and hiding debts.
(EF/SP)
David Bermingham, Gary Mulgrew and Giles Darby reported to Croydon police station in south London earlier today to meet with the US marshals who were to accompany them in board their flight from Gatwick to Houston, Texas.
UK defence lawyer for the men, Mark Spragg today said that the trial could easily have been held in the UK and the extradition to the US was unnecessary.
He said: "It's all so unnecessary, that's the real problem here. This could easily have been tried in the UK. That's where the victim is, that's where all the witnesses are, but no, the Government insisted on them being extradited on a very unfair, one-sided treaty."
An emergency debate was held in the Commons yesterday to discuss whether the men should be extradited for trial in the US.
Prime Minister Tony Blair told the House that US prosecutors would not oppose bail if appropriate conditions were met.
After a three-hour debate in the Commons, MPs voted by a majority of 242 to adjourn the discussions early in symbolic protest at the government's extradition arrangements.
On Tuesday, peers had voted in favour of suspending extradition agreements with the US until the UK-US treated had been ratified there.
The three are expected to attend a bail hearing in Texas on Friday.
The US prosecutors have suggested that the three men may be granted bail, but it is likely that they will have to remain in the immediate Houston area.
If this happens then the men could face financial difficulties, as all of their money and property will be tied up as collateral for bail, which is expected to be a considerable amount.
If found guilty, they could spend up to 23 years in jail.
Each of the accused is alleged to have made around £1m each out of a complex fraud scheme.
Another banker, Neil Coulbeck, who had been questioned by the FBI as a potential witness in the Enron fraud case, was found dead in London earlier in the week.
It is not yet known if his death is linked to the case and police have said they are treating it as "unexplained."
Enron collapsed in 2001 after admitting inflating profits and hiding debts.
(EF/SP)
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