Govt says no control on UK

CPS spokesperson Annabelle McMillan said: “No, an order cannot be reinstated. It would have to be a fresh application satisfying the usual criteria.” But a fresh application would be easier said than done. To entertain it, the (British) High Court, McMillan said, “is likely to ask for evidence as to how/why there has been a change in circumstances.”

Meanwhile, Quattrocchi has denied reports that he was in touch with Law minister H R Bhardwaj. He also maintained that Bhardwaj’s lawyer son had not advised him in his extradition case in Malaysia. “This is not correct, not at all correct,” he told NDTV on telephone from Milan.Asked about his proximity to the Gandhi family, he said “well, I am proud to be a friend of the Gandhi family. But please leave the friendship alone.”

Quoting a judge, Quattrocchi said that after 20 years of probe, “no proof, not even an iota” has been established to link him with it. Asked if he would cooperate with the CBI if he was questioned in Milan, he said that, through his lawyer in New Delhi and press releases, he always offered his collaboration “but I was never officially invited” by the CBI for questioning. “Anyway”, he said, “I may consider it.”