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The extradited British technology tycoon Mike Lynch has told allies his battle “is far from over” weeks after appearing in an American court for the first time.

Sky News has seen a note from Mr Lynch to allies and supporters in which he accused authorities of overturning an agreement about his bail conditions and reflected on the “tremendous toll” that his decade-long legal travails have taken on him and his family.

Mr Lynch was flown to California last week to face fraud charges after losing a protracted fight in the UK against his extradition.

The billionaire founder of Autonomy, the software company, has been embroiled in multiple legal fights since its $11bn sale in 2011 to Hewlett Packard.

Last week’s court hearing saw Mr Lynch ordered to pay a $100m bail bond to secure his release after Judge Charles Breyer said he posed a “serious and substantial” flight risk.

In his note to supporters, sent earlier this week, he reiterated his belief that his case should be tried in the UK – where Autonomy was based, listed and audited.

“I hold on to the fact that extradition is not conviction, and the battle is far from over,” he wrote.

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“While it was always possible that I would find myself on the West Coast, I couldn’t have imagined the circumstances.

“I was collected from my home at dawn last Thursday and driven by Met Police officers to Heathrow where I was handed over to US Federal Marshalls.

“Although I can’t fault the politeness of the people involved, they were helpful and understanding, the reality of the situation is that from that moment, my phone and laptop were taken from me and I was put in handcuffs for the duration of the flight and transfer to the courthouse.”

Mr Lynch said the circumstances of his potential bail conditions had been negotiated at length prior to his extradition.

“This ended in a relatively satisfactory manner that allowed me the freedom to move around the city and meet with friends, and most importantly, travel to see my lawyers on the East Coast,” he wrote.

“When I arrived in court, to the surprise of most involved, that arrangement changed.

“Placed under much more stringent bail conditions, I spent the first night in custody before moving into temporary accommodation from which I am not allowed to leave other than to meet my lawyers locally.

“This is the reality of extradition to the US, and one that could face any British businessperson.”

Mr Lynch’s extradition has sparked protests from allies in the British business community as well as a number of senior politicians, including the Conservative MP David Davis.

They have argued that the Autonomy founder’s treatment represents an abuse of the extradition treaty between the UK and the US, and suggested that it is one-sided in the Americans’ favour.

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Mr Lynch also referred to an ongoing civil case in the UK against him, which he claimed could conclude in a way that determined his extradition “could be premature”.

“As I wait, confined, for the next legal hearing I’ve inevitably reflected on the events of the decade since HP first made its allegations.

“The pressure of taking on a fight of this magnitude takes a tremendous toll on me, and on my family, and the only silver lining is the warm friendship and support you have all given us, which we are eternally grateful for.

He added that his family’s “ordeal is no easier than mine and it is for them that I keep fighting”.

A spokesman for Mr Lynch declined to comment further.

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School and mosques vandalised with anti-Muslim graffiti in London

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School and mosques vandalised with anti-Muslim graffiti in London

Anti-Muslim graffiti has been found daubed on seven London buildings this month, including mosques, community centres and a primary school.

The Metropolitan Police said it is investigating “several incidents of criminal damage” and is treating them as “shocking” hate crimes.

The first incident took place on Monday 6 January, with the most recent recorded on Saturday 25 January. The force is looking into whether they are linked, including examining CCTV footage.

The incidents are reported to have been fuelled by a Telegram hate group, which was offering £100 to people who committed acts of vandalism. The Met said its inquiries are continuing.

The force has stepped up reassurance patrols in the affected areas and is in contact with local faith leaders.

Here are the sites that were targeted and when:

• West Norwood Mosque, SE27, on Monday 6 January

• South Norwood Islamic Community Centre, Croydon, SE25, on Monday 6 January

• Thornton Heath Islamic Centre, CR7, on Thursday 16 January

• Stratford mosque, Newham, E15, on Thursday 23 January

• Leyton Jamia Masjid, E10, on Thursday 23 January

• Albirr Foundation mosque, E10, on Thursday 23 January

• Noor Ul Islam Primary School, E10, on Saturday 25 January

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Leyton Jamia Masjid was vandalised with anti-Islam graffiti
Image:
Leyton Jamia Masjid was also targeted

‘Hate has no place on our streets’

Worshippers at the Stratford mosque and Leyton Jamia Masjid contacted Sky News saying their buildings had been vandalised with anti-Islamic graffiti.

The Met’s Deputy Assistant Commissioner Jon Savell said: “We understand that Muslim communities will be feeling particularly concerned for their safety following this series of shocking hate crimes.

“Hate has no place on our streets, and tackling it is at the centre of our efforts to make Londoners from all backgrounds and communities feel safe.

“Our local officers will continue to work with community leaders and ensure that a thorough investigation is being conducted”.

‘This is not an act of faith – it’s an act of cowardice’

A statement from Stratford Islamic Association to Sky News said: “Our mosque has been part of this community since 1993, and in all that time, we’ve only known kindness and respect from our neighbours.

“We are proud to be an integral part of this community, and today, we’ve been deeply moved by the overwhelming support from people of all backgrounds.”

It added: “The council and the police have stood with us, and we are truly grateful for their swift and compassionate response.

“Those responsible for this act of hate have shamed only themselves. This is not an act of faith – it’s an act of cowardice. But they will not intimidate us. We will not live in fear. Together, as a united community, we will stand strong.”

Police are urging anyone with information about the incidents to contact them on 101.

No arrests have been made.

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WH Smith in secret talks to sell historic high street arm

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WH Smith in secret talks to sell historic high street arm

WH Smith is in secret talks to sell its entire high street business in Britain more than 230 years after it opened its first shop in central London.

Sky News can exclusively reveal that the listed retail group, which has a market capitalisation of almost £1.5bn, has been in negotiations with a number of prospective buyers of the division for several weeks.

WH Smith will confirm the plan to the London Stock Exchange on Monday morning.

The company’s high street arm comprises roughly 500 stores, employing about 5,000 people across the country.

It is currently part of the same group as WH Smith’s faster-growing, more profitable travel retail business which operates from airports, train stations and hospitals.

The travel retail business comprises 600 shops in the UK, roughly half of a global operation numbering about 1,200 travel retail outlets.

Bankers at Greenhill have been appointed to run the sale process for the high street business, with a deal expected in the coming months.

The identities of the likely buyers were unclear on Saturday.

Run by Carl Cowling, chief executive, the disposal of its high street arm and repositioning as a pure-play travel retail company is likely to be welcomed by investors, one analyst said this weekend.

WH Smith’s high street division, which recorded flat operating profit of £32m last year, still largely sells greeting cards, books and stationery, while the travel arm has a wider offering of food and drink, and technology products.

The travel business now accounts for 75% of the company’s revenue, and 85% of profits, reflecting its higher margins.

It is growing particularly quickly in the US market.

The company’s retail business in hospitals is also growing rapidly, with 145 stores in 100 hospitals across the UK, and scope for openings in 200 further sites, it said in its last set of results in November.

News of the potential sale represents a watershed moment in the history of the British high street.

WHSmith’s first store was opened in 1792 by Henry Walton Smith and his wife Anna in Little Grosvenor Street, London.

The company opened the first ever travel retail store in Euston station in 1848.

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There have been questions about the future of WH Smith’s high street division for many years amid carnage elsewhere in the sector, with the likes of BHS, Debenhams and Comet all ceasing to trade from physical stores in the last 15 years.

This week, it emerged that roughly 15 WH Smith shops would be closed this year – part of an annual rationalisation of its store estate.

In 2006, the company’s news distribution arm, now known as Smiths News, was demerged into a separate London-listed company.

On Friday, shares in WH Smith closed at 1148p, having declined by about 5% over the last 12 months.

In a statement following Sky News’ report of its plans, WH Smith issued a statement confirming it was “exploring potential strategic options for this profitable and cash generative part of the Group, including a possible sale”.

“Over the past decade, WH Smith has become a focused global travel retailer,” the statement said.

“The Group’s Travel business has over 1,200 stores across 32 countries, and three-quarters of the Group’s revenue and 85% of its trading profit comes from the Travel business.

“There can be no certainty that any agreement will be reached, and further updates will be provided as and when appropriate.”

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Three teenagers die after car hits tree in Wakefield

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Three teenagers die after car hits tree in Wakefield

Three teenagers have died after a car hit a tree near Wakefield on Friday evening, West Yorkshire Police said.

Emergency services were called to the scene at around 8.30pm on Bramley Lane near West Bretton where three males, two of them passengers aged 19 and one driver aged 18, were confirmed to have died.

Two men who were also travelling in the vehicle were taken to hospital.

One of those men remains in hospital with injuries that are described as life-threatening. The other male has injuries that are not believed to be life-threatening.

The black Seat Ibiza car was travelling along the road in the direction of Wooley when it left the road and collided with a tree.

Officers from the Major Collision Enquiry Team (MCET) are appealing for anyone who may have seen the collision or the way the vehicle was being driven beforehand, or anyone with video footage, to contact them.

West Yorkshire Police senior investigating officer Detective Chief Inspector James Entwistle said: “This is a tragic incident which has resulted in the loss of three lives and fourth person suffering critical injuries.

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“Our thoughts go out to the families of those involved who we are working with to provide support.

“Our specialist collision investigators are establishing the circumstances surrounding this fatal collision and I would urge anyone who may have seen the car involved or who may have dashcam or other video footage that will help our enquiries to please contact us.”

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