Fugitive tycoon Nadir in bail bid (From Bridgwater Mercury)

Fugitive tycoon Nadir in bail bid

2:54am Friday 30th July 2010 in National News © Press Association 2011

Lawyers for fugitive tycoon Asil Nadir are due to appear before a judge to apply for him to be given bail should he return to Britain.

Nadir, 69, reportedly wants to come back from northern Cyprus to clear his name in relation to £34 million fraud allegations.

The Conservative Party donor fled Britain in 1993 after his Polly Peck business empire collapsed.

A previous attempt by Nadir to have the case against him thrown out as an abuse of process was rejected in 2001 by Mr Justice Potts, who cited the fact that Nadir had not returned to the jurisdiction.

The Serious Fraud Office says he remains charged with 66 counts of theft and it intends to pursue a trial if he returns to Britain - but that it does not oppose him being granted conditional bail.

Nadir's application is due to be heard by Mr Justice Bean, sitting at the Old Bailey.