The UK will likely decide whether to approve the extradition of Mike Lynch facing US fraud charges over the $11 billion sale of his software company Autonomy to Hewlett-Packard. before the Supreme Court ruled in a separate civil case over the deal.
Lynch was accused by the US of manipulating Autonomy’s accounts, causing Hewlett-Packard to pay an additional $5 billion to the company. He denies wrongdoing.
His case now belongs to the home secretary, Priti Patel, after a London court ruled in July that Lynch could be extradited. Patel has twice delayed his decision on the matter, and lawyers for the home secretary applied to Westminster magistrates court on Thursday for a further extension, until mid-March.
Rosemary Davidson, the attorney representing Patel, told the court it was now likely that a public ruling in the civil case was only likely to arrive in January.
Davidson told the court it was an “unusual and complex case” and that the home secretary wanted to base her decision on all the documents that might be relevant.
The court heard that Lynch’s team was concerned there was a “real risk” that US prosecutors could bring new charges or change their case based on evidence from the civil case.
But District Judge Michael Snow ruled on Thursday that he would only extend it until December 16. This likely means Patel won’t see the Supreme Court’s decision by her time. make her own decisions – even though she’s theoretically entitled to do so. longer than the time prescribed by the court.
Patel has little basis to block Lynch’s extradition. If she decides to approve Lynch’s removal, he can immediately file an appeal with the Supreme Court.
Snow ruled on Lynch’s extradition in July and dismissed the arguments against his extradition, saying he was satisfied it was not an abuse of process.
Lynch’s case has broader implications for British business executives, setting an important precedent for those accused of criminal misconduct. The Anglo-American extradition treaty signed with the US in 2003 has long been criticized by MPs as weighing in favor of the US. A spokesman for Lynch declined to comment.
The Home Office said: “Extension to make a decision on any particular case can be made under the Extradition Act 2003. The Home Secretary is giving a full review of the matters raised. out in this case.”
