UK files to extradite the Tate brothers from the US over 59 charges

The Tates’ time in Florida could be coming to an end

The brothers are currently being held in Florida, where they were taken into custody after prosecutors announced additional charges against them in July. They also failed in a bid to secure bail last week.

In total, the pair face 59 charges in the UK. These include rape, alleged sex trafficking offences and charges relating to indecent images of a child. Andrew and Tristan Tate have denied all wrongdoing.

The case began with 21 charges brought by the Crown Prosecution Service. A further 38 were later added, covering alleged offences dating from 2010 to 2017.

The US authorities detained the brothers after those additional charges were made public, while UK prosecutors were given until Wednesday 16 September to submit a formal extradition request.

That deadline has now passed, with the request officially submitted by British authorities.

The Tates’ extradition request must clear several stages in the US

Andrew and Tristan Tate are set to remain in US custody while American authorities consider whether they should be returned to the UK to face trial.

The extradition requests were received by the US State Department last week, starting a process that could eventually end with the case being decided by a court. 

Officials will first examine whether the applications meet the terms of the existing extradition agreement between Britain and the US. 

If they pass that stage, the requests will be sent to the US Justice Department before being taken to court, where the final decision will be made.

Their lawyer claims key documents have not been provided

The brothers are dual US-UK citizens and are expected to stay in jail while the proceedings continue.

Their lawyer, Joe McBride, has said he will fight the extradition. He claims the necessary paperwork has not been provided to the brothers, including warrants, charging documents and information supporting the allegations against them.

Speaking to the BBC, McBride also criticised the fact that the brothers had not received the extradition requests themselves, describing the situation as evidence of what he called “deception” behind the accusations.

According to a State Department letter, Andrew Tate, 39, is wanted in Britain to stand trial on several charges, including 10 counts of rape and three allegations of arranging or facilitating trafficking for sexual exploitation.