In a prosecution brought by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), Craig Whyte has been charged with failing to provide passwords for various laptops and phones.

Mr Whyte appeared today at Manchester and Salford Magistrates’ Court, having been arrested at Manchester Airport yesterday at the request of the FCA by officers from Greater Manchester Police.

The arrest is in relation to non-disclosure of key passwords for various laptops and phones, which were seized from him by a warrant issued under s176 Financial Services & Markets Act 2000 on the 18 April 2018.

Mr Whyte was charged with failing to comply with a Statutory Notice issued under Section 49 Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 (RIPA 2000). This is the first prosecution by the FCA in relation to this offence.

Mr Whyte has indicated a plea of not guilty and elected for trial in the Crown Court. Mr Whyte was granted conditional bail.