Norman Baker MP Member of Parliament for Lewes constituency
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Norman Baker,
23 East Street,
Lewes,
East Sussex,
BN7 2LJ.
Tel: (01273) 480281.
Fax: (01273) 480287.
Email: info
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Local MP takes extradition case of Lewes business owner to the commons
Lewes MP Norman Baker has challenged the government to confront the US government over their attempt to extradite the owner of a Lewes business under the Extradition Act 2003. Should Mr Mulgrew, whose Allen and Joy building company is based in the Lewes constituency, be extradited to the US he can expect to remain out of the country for over two years, leaving the future of his business uncertain and putting the future of the 21 full-time Lewes residents and 50 subcontractors he employs in jeopardy.
Speaking during the debate Norman said:
“There is genuine concern among the company's employees that if the extradition goes ahead, Mr. Mulgrew, who is key to the business, will be perforce out of the country for at least two years, even if charges are subsequently dropped or he is found innocent of them - if they are laid against him in that way. As a consequence, the jobs of 21 people and 40 to 50 subcontractors in my constituency will be at risk.” In response the Foreign and Commonwealth Office Minister, Douglas Alexander promised to refer the matter to the Home Office.
Speaking after the debate Norman said: “Should he be extradited to the US, Mr Mulgrew faces a very lengthy and extremely expensive legal process and consequently would struggle to maintain his business in Lewes. “The allegation involves fraud, a British bank and something that allegedly happened in the UK so why, if there is evidence to justify the charges, cannot the trial take place here rather than in the US? The British government cannot simply just cave in – as it does on so many other matters – to the US and weakly hand over our citizens."