BC-EU--Britain-Morgan Crucible,0122

Retired UK businessman loses US extradition battle

LONDON (AP) -- Retired British businessman Ian Norris has lost his appeal against extradition to the U.S. on a charge of obstructing justice.

Norris was one of four Morgan Crucible executives indicted by a U.S. grand jury in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, for allegedly fixing the price of various carbon products in 2003.

Britain's court system frustrated the American attempt to have him extradited for price fixing, saying he should not be tried in the U.S. for cartel arrangements that were legal in the United Kingdom at the time.

But judges did approve his extradition on the ground of obstructing justice during the investigation into his activities. Norris took his appeal to Britain's Supreme Court, which rejected his appeal Wednesday.