Extradition attempts have hit a snag

Ian Norris, 62, former chief executive of UK-based Morgan Crucible is wanted by the US government, which seeks to extradite him.

He is accused of agreeing carbon product prices with US and European competitors between 1989 and 2000.

Extradition has hit a snag as it was not an offence in the UK before 2003.

That changed when the Enterprise Act came into force in 2003 - after the alleged cartel happened.

Evidence 'hidden'

The US Government has charged Mr Norris with seven counts of conspiracy to defraud and two of perverting the course of justice.

David Perry, prosecuting, told Bow Street Magistrates' Court in London that Mr Norris had defrauded customers by setting a price with supposed rivals.

In 1999, the court heard, the US government investigated allegations of price-fixing and the Morgan companies paid $1m and $10m fines.

During the investigation, Mr Perry said, Mr Norris tried to hide evidence of the cartel, papers were destroyed, employees briefed on what to say and those unwilling to keep to the company line were retired or changed jobs.

Mr Norris set up a task force to deal with the allegations of price-fixing, the court heard.

'Not criminal'

Defending, Alun Jones QC said Norris could not be extradited on grounds of conspiracy to defraud because it was a separated charge to allegations of price-fixing.

He said the US was trying to extradite Mr Norris for conduct never regarded as criminal in the UK and he had never faced prosecution here.