Self-styled Scottish separatist loses extradition bid battle

Separatist wanted back in UK on terror charges.

A self-styled Scottish separatist has lost his appeal against extradition back to the UK where he is wanted on terror charges.

Adam Busby is alleged to have made a series of hoax threats between November 2009 and June 2010, including to contaminate the drinking water of a number of cities.

The 65-year-old, who has lived in Ireland for more than 30 years, opposed an order for his surrender and appealed the decision to send him back.

But five judges at the Supreme Court in Dublin unanimously cleared the way for father-of-two Busby to be sent back to Scotland.

He could arrive back in Scotland as early as this week.

The charges against him claim that in 2009, while purporting to be the Scottish National Liberation Army, he phoned a newspaper in Glasgow and threatened to contaminate the drinking water of major UK towns and cities.

It’s also alleged that he sent the same newspaper a text message claiming various packages containing caustic and poisonous substances had been sent to public figures including the then Prime Minister Gordon Brown.

The charges also allege that in 2010 Busby phoned bodies including the Samaritans claiming that bombs would detonate at the Argyll Arcade and the Hilton Hotel in Glasgow.

The same year it’s also claimed he called three newspapers claiming that bombs would detonate at Edinburgh’s Forth Road Bridge and Glasgow’s Erskine Bridge.

Multiple sclerosis sufferer Busby arrived at the court in a wheelchair to hear his fate.

Lawyers acting on his behalf had hoped to have his case thrown out on a legal technicality.

His extradition was sought using the European Arrest Warrant system which is based on the principle

of mutual recognition of judicial decisions of other members countries’ legal systems.

Busby’s lawyers claimed there were inconsistencies between the Irish and Scottish legal systems which meant he should not be extradited.

However, Chief Justice Susan Denham said the argument had no relevance as there is no requirement for parity of procedures between member states.

Following the ruling, the Supreme Court agreed to a brief stay of execution.

Busby’s counsel Remy Farrell asked for the delay to be put in place until early next week so an application can made before the High Court arising out of his client’s health.

He will remain on bail until next Tuesday’s sitting of the High Court.

Busby is also at the centre of an extradition fight in the United States.

He is wanted by US authorities in connection with an alleged series of hoax bomb threats to the University of Pittsburgh campus during the spring of 2012.

US Attorney David J Hickton said: “We remain interested in extraditing Adam Busby to hold him responsible for the indicted crimes here and have taken active steps to secure his presence.

“We stand in line behind Scotland, which has a prior interest and rights to proceed with Mr Busby for crimes committed there.”