Likely NatWest Three trial delay

The three must stay in the US before their trial

The trial of the three British bankers extradited to the US on fraud charges is expected to be delayed, as two of the three need to appoint new lawyers.

David Bermingham, 43, Gary Mulgrew, 44, and Giles Darby, 43, the so-called NatWest Three, were due to go on trial in Houston in September.

As already agreed, however, US lawyers for Mr Mulgrew and Mr Darby have now withdrawn from the case.

A US magistrate is due to consider calls for the trial's postponement.

The NatWest Three are accused of fraud in connection with the collapse of US energy company Enron, although all three strongly proclaim their innocence.

Prosecutors say that, in 2000, the three men advised their former employer, NatWest, to sell part of a company owned by Enron for less than it was worth.

They then left the bank and bought a stake in the company before selling it on at a significantly higher price and making a huge profit, it is claimed.

The case has hit the headlines, as the three men fought against their extradition to the US.

They were extradited earlier this month under a new fast-track system agreed by the British government and face up to 35 years in prison.

Last week they were released from a US jail on bail of $4m (£2.1m), but barred from returning to the UK before their trial.