Mike Lynch can be extradited to US, judge rules

Mike Lynch, the alleged architect of Britain’s biggest company fraud, has suffered a important defeat in his battle versus extradition to America as he seeks to keep away from potentially a long time in jail.

The Autonomy founder, who is required on expenses of fraud over the sale of the computer software company, moved a action closer to demo on US soil following District Decide Michael Snow stated it was “in the passions of justice” to extradite him. Mr Lynch denies all expenses.

Former ministers attacked the selection, expressing any allegations versus the businessman should be tested in the Uk and that the choose has dismissed upcoming proof.

Lawyers for Mr Lynch – at the time hailed as Britain’s reply to Bill Gates – stated they be expecting to attractiveness the selection if it is permitted by the Dwelling Secretary.

The fifty six-12 months-old faces 17 counts of fraud in the US over the $eleven.7bn (£8.5bn) sale of Autonomy, the FTSE one hundred company he established, to HP in 2011.

HP wrote down practically all of Autonomy’s worth a 12 months following the offer, proclaiming that previous executives at the company had inflated its revenues and income.

David Davis, the previous shadow home secretary, stated it was an “outrage” that Mr Lynch should be tried in a US courtroom.

“This is all about the acquire of our greatest computer software company, Autonomy, from the London Inventory Exchange, and a voluntary acquire by Hewlett Packard. That all occurred in Britain,” he stated.

“The implication of that for a company place of watch, is that each and every one acquire or contract by an American company, will be adjudicated by the American courtroom. Which is truly severe submit-Brexit.”

Andrew Mitchell, the previous global progress secretary, stated: “This is a bizarre, incomprehensible selection that signifies none of us are safe from the get to of American prosecutors. The Dwelling Secretary should replicate really diligently without a doubt in advance of agreeing that this extradition can go forward.”