UK ‘Enron’ bankers lose extradition appeal
Battle lost against fast track extradition
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.