Extradited tech tycoon Lynch says battle ‘removed from over’
The extradited British know-how tycoon Mike Lynch has instructed allies his battle “is far from over” weeks after showing in an American courtroom for the primary time.
Sky News has seen a observe from Mr Lynch to allies and supporters through which he accused authorities of overturning an settlement about his bail circumstances and mirrored on the “tremendous toll” that his decade-long authorized travails have taken on him and his household.
Mr Lynch was flown to California last week to face fraud fees after shedding a protracted battle within the UK in opposition to his extradition.
The billionaire founding father of Autonomy, the software program firm, has been embroiled in a number of authorized fights since its $11bn sale in 2011 to Hewlett Packard.
Last week’s courtroom listening to noticed Mr Lynch ordered to pay a $100m bail bond to safe his launch after Judge Charles Breyer mentioned he posed a “serious and substantial” flight threat.
In his observe to supporters, despatched earlier this week, he reiterated his perception that his case ought to be tried within the UK – the place Autonomy was primarily based, listed and audited.
“I hold on to the fact that extradition is not conviction, and the battle is far from over,” he wrote.
“While it was always possible that I would find myself on the West Coast, I couldn’t have imagined the circumstances.
“I used to be collected from my dwelling at daybreak final Thursday and pushed by Met Police officers to Heathrow the place I used to be handed over to US Federal Marshalls.
“Although I can’t fault the politeness of the people involved, they were helpful and understanding, the reality of the situation is that from that moment, my phone and laptop were taken from me and I was put in handcuffs for the duration of the flight and transfer to the courthouse.”
Mr Lynch mentioned the circumstances of his potential bail circumstances had been negotiated at size previous to his extradition.
“This ended in a relatively satisfactory manner that allowed me the freedom to move around the city and meet with friends, and most importantly, travel to see my lawyers on the East Coast,” he wrote.
“When I arrived in court, to the surprise of most involved, that arrangement changed.
“Placed below rather more stringent bail circumstances, I spent the primary evening in custody earlier than shifting into non permanent lodging from which I’m not allowed to depart aside from to fulfill my attorneys domestically.
“This is the reality of extradition to the US, and one that could face any British businessperson.”
Mr Lynch’s extradition has sparked protests from allies within the British enterprise group in addition to various senior politicians, together with the Conservative MP David Davis.
They have argued that the Autonomy founder’s remedy represents an abuse of the extradition treaty between the UK and the US, and advised that it’s one-sided within the Americans’ favour.
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Mr Lynch additionally referred to an ongoing civil case within the UK in opposition to him, which he claimed may conclude in a approach that decided his extradition “could be premature”.
“As I wait, confined, for the next legal hearing I’ve inevitably reflected on the events of the decade since HP first made its allegations.
“The stress of taking over a battle of this magnitude takes an incredible toll on me, and on my household, and the one silver lining is the nice and cozy friendship and help you’ve all given us, which we’re eternally grateful for.
He added that his household’s “ordeal is no easier than mine and it is for them that I keep fighting”.
A spokesman for Mr Lynch declined to remark additional.