FSA seeks first extradition as banker charged over insider dealing

An investment banker and his wife have been charged in relation to a nine-year insider dealing spree in a case that also marks the first time the FSA has sought the extradition of a suspect abroad.

Christian Littlewood, a senior investment banker, and his wife Angie Littlewood have been charged in relation to trading in a number of different LSE and AIM-listed shares between 2000 and 2009.

Both have been charged with 13 counts of insider dealing and one count of conspiracy to commit insider dealing. They have been bailed to attend City of Westminster Magistrates' Court on 6 April 2010.

A third suspect has also been arrested in Mayotte, a French overseas territory in the Comoros Islands. The suspect - a 33 year old Singaporean national - was arrested by the French authorities in Mayotte pursuant to a European Arrest Warrant issued by City of Westminster Magistrates' Court at the request of the FSA.

He is due to appear before a local court later this week in relation to a request for extradition to the UK to face charges of insider dealing.

This is the first time the FSA has sought the extradition of a suspect from abroad to face criminal charges in the UK.