Extradited Briton Chris Tappin denied bail in US

A Briton extradited to the United States over allegations of arms dealing has been denied bail.

Chris Tappin, 65, of Orpington, SE London, was extradited on 24 February after claims that he conspired to sell batteries for use in Iranian missiles.

A spokesman for federal prosecutors said bail was refused because Mr Tappin "posed a flight risk".

Mr Tappin's wife Elaine described the decision to keep him in custody as "heartbreaking" and an "outrage".

He was escorted into the court by US marshals. He wore an orange jumpsuit and had his feet and one hand shackled - the other was left free so that he could use a cane.

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He's a man of his word and is certainly not at risk of fleeing - where would he go?”

Elaine Tappin

Chris Tappin's wife

Defence lawyer Kent Schaffer said Mr Tappin would have complied with any restrictions and that his family was ready to post $50,000 bail (£31,600).

Associated Press news agency reported Judge Robert Castaneda had agreed that Mr Tappin could be monitored if released but decided not to grant bail because of a discrepancy in Mr Tappin's financial statement.

An official of the US Attorney's office said Mr Tappin's trial would take place before US District Judge David Briones in El Paso but that no date had been set.

'Shocked and disappointed'

Elaine Tappin said she was "shocked and deeply disappointed".

"He's a man of his word and is certainly not at risk of fleeing - where would he go? He doesn't have his passport or access to money."

Mrs Tappin questioned why Prime Minister David Cameron had not helped her husband.

"He's not a danger to anyone - he's a 65-year-old granddad. How is he supposed to prepare a proper defence when he's only been allowed to communicate with his lawyers from behind a plastic screen?"

A family spokeswoman said that Mr Tappin had told his wife that he had been shackled and confined in a cage for five hours before his bail hearing.

The Home Office said it had no comment to make on the bail decision.

A spokesman said Mr Tappin was able to get help from the Foreign Office as needed but that the case was "now entirely a matter for the US courts" .

Mr Tappin, a retired businessman, denies trying to sell batteries for use by Iran in Hawk missiles and says he has been the victim of an FBI sting.

source:http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-17266000