§ Norman LambTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the French extradition warrant in respect of Mr. Nadhmi Auchi was first received; what subsequent communications there were with the French Government; and if he will make a statement on the action taken between the receipt of the extradition warrant and March 2003. [112874]
§ Mr. Bob AinsworthThe French Government first submitted a request for Mr. Auchi's extradition in December 2000. There followed a number of detailed but otherwise routine exchanges with French authorities about matters raised in the extradition request. The Secretary of State decided on 18 March to issue his authority to proceed in the case. Mr. Auchi was arrested on 31 March. He has since submitted himself voluntarily to the French courts.
§ Norman LambTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received from(a) Mr. Nadhmi Auchi and (b) others acting on his behalf (i) in respect of the extradition warrant and (ii) on other matters over the last two years. [112875]
§ Mr. Bob AinsworthBetween September 2000 and October 2001, the Home Office received a number of representations on Mr. Auchi's behalf. In the main, these were to the effect that the Secretary of State should decline to issue his authority to proceed in respect of any extradition request he might receive.