Three former Natwest bankers wanted in the US over the Enron scandal have failed in their attempt to have the Law Lords hear an appeal against extradition.

Following that decision the High Court certified potential grounds of appeal to the House of Lords, but a committee of Law Lords refused a petition by the former bankers for permission to appeal.

The appeal had been set to challenge the legal status of the UK's fast track extradition treaty with the US.

David Bermingham, Gary Mulgrew and Giles Darby have continued to maintain their innocence of ‘wire fraud’ and say they should be tried by a UK jury.

The last avenue of appeal is the European Court of Human Rights. The lawyer for the trio have seven days to apply.

Enron collapsed in 2001 after admitting inflating profits and hiding debts.