A retired businessman has lost his High Court battle against extradition to the United States, where he faces charges of conspiring to sell parts for Iranian missiles.

Christopher Tappin, 64, of Farnborough Park, Orpington, denies unlawfully attempting to export batteries for Hawk air defence missiles and says he was the victim of entrapment in an FBI "sting".  However, two judges sitting in London ruled that the entrapment argument was "unsustainable" and it would not be "oppressive" to extradite him.

The president of the all-Kent Golf Club Union is wanted in El Paso, Texas, for allegedly trying to conduct business without obtaining the appropriate licences for "defence articles".

Orpington MP Jo Johnson told News Shopper: "The extradition law is complex and the government has committed to reviewing whether the US/UK extradition treaty needs to be reviewed or not.  I am confident that they will be looking closely at arguments made in favour of reform."

To read the full article click here