Former Rangers owner Craig Whyte arrested at Manchester Airport

Former Rangers owner Craig Whyte has been charged with failing to provide passwords for various laptops and phones after being arrested at Manchester Airport.

He appeared at Manchester and Salford Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday in a prosecution brought by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).

He was arrested at Manchester Airport on Tuesday at the request of the FCA by officers from Greater Manchester Police. 

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

Whyte was charged with failing to comply with a statutory notice issued under Section 49 the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 (RIPA 2000).

It is the first prosecution by the FCA in relation to this offence. 

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

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