Extradited businessman professes innocence

A businessman who is the latest Briton to be extradited to the United States under a controversial treaty today reiterated his “absolute innocence” as he prepared to board his flight out of the UK.

Jeremy Crook, who faces fraud charges in the US, said he would tackle his case “head on” as he handed himself over to the police at Heathrow Airport.

The former European vice-president of software firm Peregrine Systems was being accompanied on the flight to San Diego near Chicago by US marshals.

As he arrived to check in this morning he learned that due to the low risk he posed it was unlikely he would be shackled during the journey.

Mr Crook (aged 53) of Upminster, Essex, had wanted to fly to the US of his own accord to face the fraud allegations, which he strenuously denies.

However, he was told in court last month that he must go through the full extradition process because the British Home Secretary had already signed an extradition warrant.

Dressed smartly in a suit and shirt, Mr Crook said he had felt “emotional” upon leaving his home this morning as he began his journey to the US, where he could face several months in custody pending a trial.

He said: “I have very mixed feelings. I was very emotional first thing this morning but now I’m determined to get on with the fight and seeing this through and making sure that justice is done.

“I still profess my absolute innocence.”

At check-in Mr Crook, who was accompanied by his lawyer Steve Law, was only met by a plain-clothed police officer before being taken airside, where it was expected he would meet US marshals.

“It seems a little odd that I can just turn up here at the airport and it is all extremely fair and open but once I am handed over to the marshals it is not,” Mr Crook said.